Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries issued a thorough, innovative report presenting our shared understanding of non-market policies and practices (NMPPs) of certain third-party countries that may distort critical mineral markets (“NMPP Report”). The NMPP Report marks an important milestone in the United States and Norway’s pursuit of sustainable, high-standard, market-oriented critical mineral mining and processing activities globally.

The International Trade Administration’s Industry and Analysis business unit played a leading role in the development of this report.

“Securing our critical mineral supply chains is vital to protecting our national security and enhancing our economic competitiveness,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Analysis Grant Harris. “This report provides an in-depth analysis of how non-market policies and practices have impacted the markets for critical minerals. It should be used to inform actions by market-oriented economies and industry partners to differentiate markets and strengthen these vital supply chains.”

The NMPP Report provides an overview of mineral supply chains in the United States and Norway and NMPPs impacting mineral markets, and an examination of how these NMPPs have been employed in the supply chains for rare earth elements, graphite, cobalt, nickel, and magnesium and impacted the markets of these minerals.

The Report finds that, absent action by market-oriented countries, in partnership with industry and other stakeholders, critical mineral supply chains are likely to remain vulnerable. This Report can be used to identify appropriate responses to NMPPs, advancing the long-term commercial viability of sustainable, high-standard market-oriented critical minerals and processing activities in the United States, Norway, and globally.