President Donald Trump signs order restricting e‑waste exports to boost critical mineral recycling FAST-MOVING
President Donald Trump signed a presidential determination that authorises the U.S. Commerce Department, under the Defense Production Act, to block the export of used batteries and other electronic waste containing critical minerals. The United States currently exports roughly 33,000 metric tons of e‑waste each month, much of it laden with lithium and other valuable minerals.
The measure is intended to increase domestic recycling capacity, lessen dependence on China for critical minerals, help the United States meet its mineral‑production goals and reduce the need for new mining projects. U.S. recyclers have complained that they cannot compete with overseas buyers offering higher prices, and the sector has seen recent bankruptcies, including Li‑Cycle and Ascend Elements. Despite these challenges, new projects are proceeding, with Blue Whale Materials and two partner firms constructing battery‑recycling facilities in Oklahoma.
Entities: Ascend Elements · Ascend Elements Inc. · Blue Whale Materials · Donald Trump · Li-Cycle Ltd. · Li‑Cycle · U.S. Department of Commerce
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 9 SOURCES] The United States exports about 33,000 metric tons of e‑waste per month. (Basel Action Network data)
- [● 9 SOURCES] U.S. recyclers have complained that they cannot compete with global competitors offering higher prices for scrap. (Industry sources quoted to Reuters)
- [● 9 SOURCES] The exported e‑waste contains lithium and other critical minerals. (Environmental group Basel Action Network)
- [● 9 SOURCES] President Donald Trump signed a presidential determination granting the Commerce Department authority to block exports of electronic waste containing critical minerals. (U.S. Department of Commerce)
- [● 9 SOURCES] The order aims to boost domestic recycling and reduce U.S. reliance on China for critical minerals. (White House officials cited by Reuters)
- [● 9 SOURCES] Li‑Cycle and Ascend Elements filed for bankruptcy in the past 18 months. (Company filings reported by Reuters)
- [● 9 SOURCES] The order is part of a broader push to meet U.S. minerals production goals and lessen the need for new mines. (White House officials cited by Reuters)
- [● 9 SOURCES] Blue Whale Materials and two other firms are building battery‑recycling facilities in Oklahoma. (Company announcements reported by Reuters)