The U.S. is banning the export of lithium-ion battery and tungsten waste in an effort to curb its reliance on China and secure more of the critical materials its defense industry needs. The move marks a significant step in the administration's strategy to reduce dependency on foreign supply chains for essential minerals.

Separately, the Trump administration's new guidelines for powerful artificial-intelligence tools exempt open models made by U.S. companies from government review. This gap marks the White House's latest bid to ensure AI tools are safe without slowing down innovation.

The dual announcements reflect a broader push to bolster domestic capabilities in both critical minerals and advanced technology sectors. By restricting waste exports, officials aim to keep valuable materials within the country for recycling and reuse.

Meanwhile, the AI policy carve-out for open models underscores the tension between regulation and competitiveness. Industry observers note the exemption could accelerate development but may also create oversight blind spots.