U.S. Export-Import Bank Invests $100 Billion in Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve

In a bold move to bolster America’s energy independence and secure vital supply chains, the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM) has committed $100 billion to initiatives to strengthen U.S. and allied access to critical minerals, nuclear energy, and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

This investment forms part of President Donald Trump’s broader strategy to achieve global energy dominance and reduce reliance on adversaries like China and Russia.

At the heart of this effort is Project Vault, a groundbreaking public-private partnership establishing the U.S. Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve, backed by a $10 billion EXIM loan and nearly $2 billion in private capital.

The Interview: Insights from EXIM Chair John Jovanovic

In a recent appearance on Fox Business’s Mornings with Maria, EXIM Chairman John Jovanovic highlighted the initiative’s significance. He emphasized that President Trump challenged the bank to create “something we’ve never had in American history: a strategic critical minerals reserve — done the uniquely American way, with no free riders and no burden on taxpayers.”

Jovanovic described Project Vault as marrying capital with urgent national needs, ensuring stable access to raw materials essential for advanced manufacturing and technologies.

This commitment aligns with EXIM’s repurposed mandate under the Trump administration, transforming the bank into a key economic tool for energy security. With $100 billion remaining from its $135 billion congressional authorization, EXIM is poised to finance large-scale projects worldwide, starting with deals in Egypt, Pakistan, and Europe.

“The President challenged us to do something we’ve never had in American history: a strategic critical minerals reserve — done the uniquely American way, with no free riders and no burden on taxpayers.”

-Chairman @JJovanovicUSA on Project Vault pic.twitter.com/4lPdgk2rjO

— U.S. Export-Import Bank (@EximBankUS) February 19, 2026

Key Players Driving the Initiative

Several prominent figures and organizations are spearheading this effort:

John Jovanovic, EXIM Chairman: Appointed in September 2025, Jovanovic has been instrumental in redirecting EXIM’s focus toward critical minerals and energy dominance. He leads the bank’s strategy to counter Western over-reliance on Chinese and Russian supplies.

President Donald Trump: The driving force behind Project Vault, Trump announced the initiative in coordination with EXIM and the White House, emphasizing its role in national security and economic competitiveness.

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs): Companies like Clarios (battery systems), GE Vernova (energy equipment), Western Digital (data storage), and Boeing (aerospace) are initial participants, providing input on minerals needed for the reserve.

Suppliers and Commodities Groups: Hartree Partners, Mercuria Americas, and Traxys will handle procurement and storage of minerals, ensuring a decentralized network of secure facilities across the U.S.

International Partners: Early deals include a $1.25 billion loan for Barrick Gold’s Reko Diq copper-gold mine in Pakistan and a $4 billion credit guarantee for LNG from Egypt via Hartree Partners.

Broader collaborations through the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE) involve allies like Australia, Japan, and the UK.

These players are collaborating to stockpile up to 60 critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, graphite, rare earths, copper, nickel, and titanium, vital for electric vehicles, semiconductors, and defense technologies.

Potential Investment Opportunities

EXIM’s $100 billion pledge opens doors for investors in the critical minerals sector, with a focus on domestic production, processing, and resilient supply chains. Here are key opportunities:

Publicly Traded Companies:

Investors can target funds or ETFs focused on these areas, such as the Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF (URNJ) or Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (LIT).
Private Equity and Partnerships: Opportunities in public-private ventures like Project Vault, where private capital earns returns while supporting national goals. Suppliers like Hartree and Traxys may see increased business.
International Deals: Watch for EXIM-financed projects in allied nations, such as Barrick Gold’s ($GOLD) Reko Diq, which could yield dividends for mining investors.

Equity Stakes by Government: The U.S. has taken stakes in firms like USA Rare Earth, MP Materials, and Lithium Americas, signaling strong backing and potential upside.

This initiative not only addresses vulnerabilities—such as the U.S.’s 100% import reliance on 12 critical minerals—but also positions investors to capitalize on a revitalized American energy sector.

As Jovanovic noted, “We can’t do anything else that we’re trying to do without these underlying critical raw material supply chains being secure, stable, and functioning.”

For energy enthusiasts, this is a pivotal moment to explore these opportunities and support U.S. innovation.

 

Sources: reuters.com, foxbusiness.com, finance.yahoo.com, instituteforenergyresearch.org, mining.com

 

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