The first two weeks of 2026 have opened the year with a bull run in rare earth stocks, driven by geopolitical tension and aggressive industrial policies. The upward momentum could continue as the U.S. makes definitive moves toward mineral sovereignty.
Investors have been piling into any company with a footprint in the rare earth mineral space as President Donald Trump and his administration have flagged the sector as critical to national security.
Critical Metals Corp. (NASDAQ:CRML) has been the breakout star in 2026, seeing its stock price climb 100% since the beginning of the year as investors buzz about its Tanbreez project in Greenland.
Other domestic rare earth players are following suit:
MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:MP): Up 27% in 2026 on heavy volume as the only major U.S. producer.
USA Rare Earth, Inc. (NASDAQ:USAR): Climbed 45% year-to-date on progress at its Round Top heavy rare earth site.
Trilogy Metals Inc. (AMEX:TMQ): Up 22% this year after receiving direct U.S. government equity investment in 2025.
Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE:LAC): Rallied 32% in 2026 alone as critical minerals became one of 2026's hottest trades.
VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (NYSE:REMX): tracks the entire sector's momentum and is up 20% year-to-date.
Greenland: The Arctic Mineral Corridor
One catalyst of the rare earth rally is President Donald Trump's renewed interest in acquiring Greenland as part of his national security strategy. The White House has confirmed that a purchase of the territory remains “an active discussion.”
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said last Tuesday that Trump views Greenland as critical to the U.S. strategy to counter Russia and China and that “all options are always on the table" as far as the method of acquisition.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet with Danish and Greenlandic officials this week, but the leaders have stressed repeatedly that “Greenland has never been for sale and never will be for sale.”
China Tightens Exports—Again
Adding to the fire in rare earths is Beijing's latest move in resource diplomacy — China tightened its export restrictions on dual-use rare earth materials to Japan in early January.
The move, a retaliation for Tokyo’s stance on Taiwan, has increased tensions in global tech and defense sectors. It is a signal that China is prepared to further weaponize its 90% dominance over refined rare earths to cripple Western military capabilities and semiconductor manufacturing.
The Takeaway
The rally in rare earth stocks reflects the minerals' status as a top priority for U.S. national security as the government races to break away from Chinese control. With supply chains under pressure and massive government backing, the sector could become one of the hottest trades of 2026.
Photo: FoxPictures from Shutterstock
