Gracelin Baskaran

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Articles

G7 Cooperation to De-Risk Minerals Investments in the Global South

1 week ago | csis.org | Gracelin Baskaran |Meredith Schwartz

As the Group of Seven (G7) prepares to hold its 51st Summit in June 2025 in Kananaskis, Canada, critical mineral security is poised to be a major topic of discussion. All G7 nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States) have emphasized securing critical minerals as a strategic priority.
Rebuilding U.S. Zinc Capacity in an Era of Global Competition

1 week ago | csis.org | Gracelin Baskaran |Meredith Schwartz

The IssueZinc ranks as the fourth-most widely used metal worldwide. In addition to its primary application in steel galvanization, refining zinc also produces gallium and germanium—key inputs for advanced semiconductors and defense technologies. However, amid falling ore grades and limited exploration, the United States remains heavily dependent on zinc imports.
What to Know About the Signed U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal

2 weeks ago | csis.org | Gracelin Baskaran |Meredith Schwartz

On Thursday, April 30, 2025, the United States and Ukraine signed a long-awaited deal to establish a joint investment fund for the reconstruction of Ukraine. The fund will be capitalized, in part, by revenues from future natural resource extraction. The newly signed agreement is a positive step in U.S.-Ukraine relations following contentious meetings between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump’s Deep-Sea Mining Executive Order: The Race for Critical Minerals Enters Uncharted Waters

3 weeks ago | csis.org | Gracelin Baskaran |Meredith Schwartz

On Thursday, April 24, President Donald Trump revealed his latest executive order (EO) aimed at securing critical mineral supply chains and countering China’s dominance in the industry. “Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources” directs the Department of Commerce, in coordination with a number of executive agencies, to pursue the exploration and exploitation of deep-sea resources both within the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and areas beyond national jurisdiction.
The Consequences of China’s New Rare Earths Export Restrictions

1 month ago | csis.org | Gracelin Baskaran |Meredith Schwartz

On April 4, China’s Ministry of Commerce imposed export restrictions on seven rare earth elements (REEs) and magnets used in the defense, energy, and automotive sectors in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff increases on Chinese products. The new restrictions apply to 7 of 17 REEs—samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium—and requires companies to secure special export licenses to export the minerals and magnets.
Unpacking Trump’s New Critical Minerals Executive Order

1 month ago | csis.org | Gracelin Baskaran |Meredith Schwartz

On March 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order (EO) to increase domestic minerals production for national security by invoking Section 301 of Title 3 of the United States Code.
Breaking Down the U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal

2 months ago | csis.org | Gracelin Baskaran |Meredith Schwartz

Portions of this critical questions analysis were previously published in a CSIS Critical Minerals article on February 21, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have reached a bilateral agreement for the United States to jointly invest in Ukraine’s critical minerals and other valuable resources. While the framework leaves many details to be worked out, this is the first agreement of its kind.
Assessing the Viability of a U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal

2 months ago | csis.org | Gracelin Baskaran |Meredith Schwartz

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are in discussions regarding an agreement that would grant the United States access to Ukraine’s critical minerals and other valuable resources. While the specifics are still being finalized, the deal would allow the United States to obtain a portion of Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in compensation for the financial aid provided to Ukraine during its conflict with Russia and potentially for future aid.
Critical Minerals and the Future of the U.S. Economy

Feb 10, 2025 | csis.org | Gracelin Baskaran |Duncan Wood

Safeguarding the minerals supply chains for advanced technologies in strategic industries is an economic and national security imperative. Yet significant vulnerabilities continue to exist in the supply chain, despite the ongoing efforts by government and businesses to address them.
Fueling the Future: Recommendations for Strengthening U.S. Uranium Security

Feb 5, 2025 | csis.org | Gracelin Baskaran |Meredith Schwartz

China’s Strategic Offtake of Uranium from Developing MarketsRussia is not the only foreign adversary of concern in the uranium supply chain. China is swiftly taking strategic action to secure uranium for its ambitious nuclear agenda. It has made strategic investments in uranium-rich countries around the world to secure feedstock for its domestic nuclear programs—both civil and defense.