U.S. President Donald Trump is launching “Project Vault,” a $12 billion strategic initiative to create a national critical minerals stockpile aimed at securing America’s supply chains and reducing dependence on China. The plan, backed by a combination of public funds and private capital, will procure and store minerals essential for modern manufacturing — from rare earths to battery metals — protecting industries like tech, automotive, energy and defense from supply disruptions. The move comes ahead of a high-level strategic minerals summit in Washington as countries seek deeper cooperation on resource security.