Ganfeng Lithium jumps 6% as Trump unveils $3 billion minerals plan

Hong Kong non-ferrous metal stocks rallied Monday, with Ganfeng Lithium (01772.HK) up 6.05%, after President Donald Trump announced $3 billion in US critical minerals investment.

"Critical mineral security is national security," John Jovanovic, chairman of the US Export-Import Bank, said, adding that the financing would fortify supply chains and shield the public from supply shocks.

Tianqi Lithium (09696.HK) gained 5.48% and Lygend Resources (02245.HK) advanced 3.72% as investors bet the US push would lift global demand for lithium and other battery metals. The package includes a $1.4 billion conditional loan from the Defense Department's Office of Strategic Capital to Sila Nanotechnologies, a $400 million loan to scandium producer Sunrise Energy Metals and $150 million to Niron Magnetics. The Export-Import Bank separately committed $58 million to Westwater Resources, Global Advanced Metals and 5E Advanced Materials, singling out graphite, tantalum, niobium and boron as priority materials.

Trump told more than 200 mining executives, investors and officials at a State Department roundtable that the US was reclaiming its "rightful place as the minerals superpower of the world." The administration has launched a $12 billion strategic minerals stockpile since Trump returned to office, backing equity investments in US mines and processing plants while seeking to limit defense contractors' reliance on Chinese supplies.

The push comes as Washington works to replenish weapons inventories depleted during the five-month US-Iran war, with minerals such as rare earths, tungsten, germanium and scandium essential to precision-guided missiles, fighter aircraft and infrared sensors. The Department of Energy also announced $100 million in grants to mining schools, while the Pentagon committed $80 million to projects at three US institutions.

For Hong Kong-listed lithium producers, the US commitment to expand domestic output could tighten global supply competition even as Beijing retains dominance in processing. Ganfeng and Tianqi, among the world's largest lithium producers by capacity, stand to benefit from sustained demand for battery metals as Washington and Beijing both scale up strategic stockpiles. The rally also lifted sentiment across the broader non-ferrous complex, with investors watching whether US policy shifts alter the balance of the global critical minerals trade.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.