Aug. 25 at 10:55 AM
$TMC (speculation) Signing before the Koreans arrive suggests the EO is not a bilateral doc (not a treaty, not co-signed). It’s U.S. unilateral policy, designed to frame the conversation.
That means it’s likely tied to Title III Defense Production Act, DOE/DoD funding mechanisms, or NOAA/DSHMRA permitting authority. → i.e. money and permits.
🛡️ The “national security” framing
• If the EO defines critical minerals as a strategic defense asset, that unlocks:
• Fast-track permitting (Provisional CRP relevance)
• Loan guarantees and industrial base funds (DOE/DoD)
• Authority for U.S. agencies to directly support allied refiners (hello, Korea Zinc).
🌐 Why this matters geopolitically
• With China already dominating ~70%+ of refining, the EO before the delegation signals: “We’re ready to write checks, now let’s negotiate which of your firms (Korea Zinc, Samsung, Hyundai Heavy) plugs in.”
• It’s a way to anchor Korea into the U.S. supply chain on American legal terms.