According to Fox Business, Apple’s investment will help expand MP Materials’ operations at Mountain Pass — the only functional rare-earth mine in the United States. The deal also covers the construction of a new recycling facility at the site, and a factory in Fort Worth, Texas, where Apple will acquire U.S.-made magnets for its products.

The project supports President Donald Trump’s industrial policy push to rebuild domestic manufacturing in strategic sectors. The Department of Defense had previously announced a $400 million stake in MP Materials to secure the supply chain for rare-earth magnets essential to both commercial and defense technologies.

Supply Chain Security Amid Geopolitical Tensions

Rare-earth elements are crucial in the production of smartphones, electric vehicles, and military equipment. China dominates global supply, raising concerns in Washington over strategic vulnerabilities. Apple's partnership is expected to enhance national supply security and reduce exposure to international risks.

The move also aligns with broader U.S. efforts to “onshore” advanced manufacturing. Analysts say the Apple-MP agreement signals a growing trend among American tech giants to invest in domestic production capacity in response to rising geopolitical tensions and tightening export controls.

With construction expected to begin later this year, the deal could significantly reshape Apple’s component sourcing and contribute to a new industrial ecosystem centered on U.S.-based rare-earth processing.