The moves by Apple and the Pentagon are part of a broader U.S. push to nearshore rare earth supply chains. Earlier this year, President Trump proposed annexing Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory estimated to contain $4.4 trillion worth of rare earth reserves. Vice President JD Vance made a surprise visit in support of the plan.

Apple’s investment in the mining company MP Materials will also help the tech giant reduce its dependence on China for rare earth metals.

Apple’s deal with MP Materials is more than just a supply-chain strategy. It's a geopolitical insurance policy.