The U.S. has produced its first domestically manufactured rare‑earth magnet in a quarter‑century, signaling a major step in rebuilding critical‑mineral capacity and reducing dependence on foreign supply chains. Scott Bessent, U.S. Treasury Secretary, announced the milestone at a new facility in South Carolina.
The new facility, operated by e‑VAC Magnetics in Sumter, South Carolina, manufactures neodymium‑iron‑boron (NdFeB) magnets—components vital in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense systems.
Bessent told reporters: “This is the first magnet made in the U.S. in 25 years — we’re ending China’s chokehold on our supply chain.”
He highlighted the role of streamlined state permitting under Governor Henry McMaster, noting that the plant’s approvals were completed in just eight weeks.
The milestone reflects the broader effort of the Donald Trump administration to revitalize U.S. manufacturing of critical minerals and reduce reliance on China, which currently dominates much of the global rare‑earth market.
Industry analysts note that while manufacturing of magnets is a major step, full supply‑chain independence will require scaling upstream mining, refining, and processing.
For businesses and policy‑makers, the development suggests a shift in strategic posture: investing in domestic production for economic security and national‑defense resilience. The plant’s capacity is reported to be scalable by six to ten times the current baseline, potentially positioning the U.S. to compete more effectively in the rare‑earth sector.
In the context of manufacturing, infrastructure, and national‑security policy, the new magnet‑production capability offers both symbolic and tangible value. It creates jobs in a region with rising investment and signals to global supply‑chain partners that the U.S. intends to be a reliable source—not just a buyer—of key materials. Nonetheless, the full impact will hinge on sustained investment, regulatory consistency, and market demand for domestically produced critical‑mineral technologies.
