Meredith Schwartz

Associate Fellow, Critical Minerals Security Program
Meredith Schwartz

Meredith Schwartz is an associate fellow for the Critical Minerals Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Prior to joining CSIS, she worked as a senior associate at Vogel Group, a bipartisan government affairs firm. At Vogel Group, her work focused on energy and trade policy work for clients, including several in the critical minerals and materials sector. She also completed internships with the International Trade Administration at the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok through the Department of State’s VSFS program. She graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University with a BS in quantitative economics and political science.

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Industrial Policy Is Back—And Minerals Are at the Center

The United States has revived its industrial policy playbook to support critical minerals through price floors, stockpiles, and equity. But in a sector shaped by geology, cost curves, and market risk, durable security depends on commercial viability—not just public capital.

Critical Questions by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — February 26, 2026

Critical Minerals Ministerial Introduces New International Cooperation Strategy

At the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial, 55 foreign ministers convened to advance minerals security through new bilateral and plurilateral frameworks, marking a shift toward coordinated, market-shaping efforts to stabilize prices and strengthen allied supply chains.

Critical Questions by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — February 13, 2026

China’s Rare Earth Campaign Against Japan

China’s imposition of new rare earth export restrictions on Japan, following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan, represents an escalation in China–Japan tensions and highlights Beijing’s increasing reliance on mineral export controls as a deterrence tool.

Critical Questions by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — January 13, 2026

Audio Briefs

China’s Rare Earth Campaign Against Japan

An audio version of "⁠China’s Rare Earth Campaign Against Japan⁠," a new Commentary by CSIS's Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — January 13, 2026

Audio Briefs

Greenland, Rare Earths, and Arctic Security

Greenland holds globally significant rare earth resources, but harsh conditions and weak infrastructure have stalled mining. U.S. interests are best advanced not through coercion, but coordinated investment with European allies to counter China’s influence.

Report by Meredith Schwartz and Gracelin Baskaran — January 8, 2026

Stabilizing Cobalt Markets: A Price Floor for U.S. Minerals Security

U.S. cobalt security is threatened by severe price volatility driven by PRC oversupply, which has pushed Western mines—including the only U.S. cobalt mine—offline. The United States should use a price floor for strategic projects needed for national and economic security.

Brief by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — December 10, 2025

Ahead of APEC, Trump Signs Flurry of Bilateral Minerals Agreements on Asia Tour

Leading up to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, President Trump signed new bilateral minerals agreements between the United States and Australia, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand, marking an escalation in minerals diversification efforts.

Critical Questions by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — October 31, 2025

Audio Briefs

Ahead of APEC, Trump Signs Flurry of Bilateral Minerals Agreements on Asia Tour

An audio version of "⁠Ahead of APEC, Trump Signs Flurry of Bilateral Minerals Agreements on Asia Tour⁠," a new Critical Questions by CSIS's Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — October 31, 2025

Audio Briefs

Friendshoring Copper: A New Pillar of the U.S.-Brazilian Economic Partnership

Brazil is rich in critical minerals and rapidly becoming a copper hotspot. While China has established a dominant position in Brazil’s mining sector, U.S. engagement remains limited. The U.S. must step up with financing, supply-chain integration, and smarter trade tools.

Brief by Gracelin Baskaran, Meredith Schwartz, and Bryan Harris — September 11, 2025