J.A. Green & Company comments on presidential determinations related to rare earth production

WASHINGTON, DC (July 23, 2019) – J.A. Green & Company (“Green & Co.”) applauds the release of five new presidential determinations that certain domestic rare earth manufacturing processes are critical to the national defense. The five determinations are part of a continuing effort by the U.S. government to secure U.S. military supply chains and reduce dependence on non-allied foreign nations for critical materials; they cover light rare earth separation, heavy rare earth separation, metals and alloys production, samarium cobalt magnet production, and neodymium iron boron magnet production.

“These presidential determinations are a great step forward for the U.S. defense industrial base,” said Jeff Green, President of Green & Co. “Foreign nations have spent decades hollowing out the defense industrial base with abusive and manipulative practices, all while claiming the mantle of ‘free trade’ and competitive advantage. The White House’s latest action is a long overdue acknowledgement that the U.S. government has a role to play in protecting and maintaining access to critical materials for U.S. national security needs.”

By law, a presidential determination is required for the U.S. government to invest in a domestic manufacturing capability through the Defense Production Act Title III program, which can pay for the acquisition and installation of facilities and equipment for critical national security needs. The DPA Title III program has a storied history of success, including for beryllium and other critical domestic metal manufacturing needs.
​
“For years, I have heard manufacturers and entrepreneurs asking for U.S. government assistance in restoring competitive rare earth production outside of China,” said Green. “It is gratifying to see strong action on this front, and I believe this will increase the competitiveness of American manufacturing and address defense supply chain gaps that were identified in last year’s report on Assessing and Strengthening the Manufacturing and Defense Industrial Base and Supply Chain Resiliency of the United States. Green & Co. looks forward to working with a variety of clients to restore, modernize, and expand domestic manufacturing capabilities.”