The U.S. opens its first rare-earth mineral processing plant in South Carolina, marking a major milestone in President Trump’s drive to end dependence on China for critical materials. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent calls it the beginning of America’s manufacturing revival.
Trump Administration Boosts U.S. Rare-Earth Independence
The United States has taken a major step toward reducing its reliance on China for rare-earth minerals — critical components used in smartphones, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and military technology — with the launch of a new rare-earth mineral processing facility in Sumter, South Carolina.
The facility, operated by the American company EVA, marks the first U.S.-based production of rare-earth magnets in decades. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who recently returned from trade negotiations with China, toured the site and described it as a key milestone in President Donald Trump’s effort to strengthen America’s economic and national security.
Bessent recalled that President Trump had issued an executive order on rare-earth minerals immediately after taking office on January 20, emphasizing the importance of breaking U.S. dependence on Chinese supply chains. “Here we are in November, and I’m bringing back to the Oval Office the first magnet made in the United States from U.S.-processed rare earths,” Bessent said. “This facility is a fantastic achievement — it’s the beginning of America’s rare-earth independence.”
According to Bessent, the Sumter project is a model of efficiency and cooperation between the private sector and state government. “The state of South Carolina government was fantastic — it took them just eight weeks to get all necessary permits,” he noted. “This shows President Trump’s ‘all hands on deck’ approach to national and economic security.”
Rare-earth magnets are essential for a wide range of modern technologies — from consumer electronics to renewable energy and defense systems. “They’re in your phone, your car, wind turbines, and most importantly, in military equipment,” Bessent explained. “They’re used in fighter jets, missiles, and precision systems. Thanks to companies like EVA, the United States will finally become independent from Chinese processing.”
Bessent highlighted EVA’s perseverance during difficult times in the global market. “These folks stayed in business when everyone else went out,” he said. “They were the only non-Chinese company producing magnets, and they trained their workers in Germany to bring this cutting-edge manufacturing back home. The workers here in South Carolina are incredibly proud to be part of something this historic.”
The facility is expected to create 300 permanent high-skilled manufacturing jobs, along with 800 construction jobs during the building phase. “This used to be a soybean field in rural South Carolina,” Bessent remarked. “Now it’s a precision manufacturing hub. They’ve already purchased all the surrounding land because they believe they can make this facility six to ten times larger.”
Bessent predicted that the U.S. manufacturing sector is at the “cusp of a liftoff” and could see significant growth by 2026 or 2027. “President Trump is fully committed to bringing manufacturing jobs back to America,” he said. “This is the start — and it’s not just about jobs. It’s about high-paying, secure jobs tied directly to America’s national and economic resilience.”
Addressing the issue of affordability — one of the key themes following the recent election — Bessent pointed out that the administration’s policies aim to improve both prices and real wages. “There are two sides to affordability,” he explained. “One is prices, the other is real wages. Under the Biden administration, inflation rose by 21–22%, and the cost of everyday goods and services for working families went up over 30%. Under President Trump, we’ve brought inflation down, and now we’re seeing real wage increases.”
He emphasized that the new wave of industrial investments will support sustainable economic growth while boosting household incomes. “Facilities like this are creating precision manufacturing jobs where factories once closed. A Caterpillar plant in this region had shut down under the previous administration. Now, those workers have better-paying, more stable jobs. That’s exactly what President Trump’s trade and industrial policies were designed to achieve.”
Bessent concluded that the revival of U.S. manufacturing — from raw materials to finished products — will continue to accelerate under Trump’s second term. “We’re seeing the results already,” he said. “This isn’t just an economic story; it’s about restoring America’s independence, strength, and pride.”
Disclaimer:
This article is based on statements made by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during an interview regarding the new rare-earth processing facility in South Carolina. The views expressed reflect the positions and policy perspectives of the Trump administration.