US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that China's dominance of global critical mineral supply chains poses a growing threat to economic and national security, saying the United States is expanding partnerships worldwide to reduce dependence on Beijing for resources vital to advanced technologies, defence systems and industrial production. 

Speaking before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State and Related Programs, Rubio said the concentration of critical minerals and processing capacity in a single country had become a major strategic vulnerability not only for the United States but also for allies across Europe and Asia.