The U.S. is grappling with a critical national security threat due to its heavy reliance on foreign uranium. A threat that simultaneously exposes the nation to geopolitical vulnerabilities and threatens the stability of our country’s baseload power supply. 

Amidst this backdrop, former President Donald Trump emerges as the solution to this pressing issue. A man who has previously demonstrated an understanding of the strategic importance of domestic uranium production when he established the U.S. Nuclear Fuel Working Group to explore ways to strengthen the U.S. nuclear fuel supply chain. A leader with the ability to negotiate complex international deals, Trump could be pivotal in securing favorable terms for the U.S. in the uranium market and revitalizing domestic production.

The U.S. imports nearly all the uranium required for its nuclear reactors, with a significant portion coming from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan—countries that pose strategic challenges. This situation is exacerbated by the decline of the domestic uranium industry, which struggles to compete against state-owned enterprises that dominate the global market.

This reliance on foreign uranium imports places the U.S. in a precarious position. Nuclear energy, the cornerstone of the nation’s baseload power, providing a stable and reliable source of electricity needs a consistent supply of uranium. However, with nearly half of its uranium imports coming from Russia and its allies, the U.S. is vulnerable to supply disruptions that could have severe implications for its energy security. This dependency also undermines the U.S.'s ability to maintain a competitive edge in nuclear technology and energy independence.

Moreover, the lack of a robust domestic uranium industry means that the U.S. is missing out on significant economic opportunities. The global nuclear reprocessing market, which involves recycling used nuclear fuel to extract valuable materials, is a multi-billion-dollar industry. By investing in domestic reprocessing capabilities, Trump could not only reduce U.S. reliance on foreign uranium but also create jobs and stimulate economic growth. Something he is very good at.

Reprocessing used nuclear fuel is the solution to the challenges posed by foreign uranium dependency. The process itself involves extracting fissile materials from spent fuel, which can then be recycled into new fuel. This not only reduces the volume of nuclear waste but also enhances energy security by closing the nuclear fuel cycle.

However, reprocessing has been benched since 1977, when the U.S. government decided to indefinitely defer commercial reprocessing of nuclear fuel to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology and materials. This decision was based on the belief that the U.S. could sustain its nuclear power program without reprocessing and to discourage other nations from expanding their reprocessing activities. 

Needless to say, our discouragement was ineffective, leaving France and Russia to take advantage of the opportunity. Today, they dominate the global market for nuclear fuel recycling. A market valued at approximately $3.03 billion in 2023 with projected growth to $4.32 billion by 2029.

Both France and Russia use the PUREX (Plutonium and Uranium Recovery by Extraction) process, which is the most common method for reprocessing nuclear fuel. This technique involves a liquid-liquid extraction process to separate uranium and plutonium from spent fuel. However, PUREX has significant drawbacks, including the production of a pure plutonium stream, which raises proliferation concerns which has further isolated the market opportunity from the United States. 

However, in true Donald Trump spirit, American innovation is challenging the status quo. Innovators like Curio have developed a NuCycle process that promises a more economical and secure alternative. NuCycle is designed to be more efficient and less costly than traditional methods, and it addresses the proliferation risks associated with PUREX by not producing a separated plutonium stream. This makes it an attractive option for the U.S. as it seeks to establish a domestic reprocessing industry.

Investing in domestic nuclear reprocessing offers numerous benefits. Economically, it could transform the U.S. into a leader in the global nuclear fuel market, creating thousands of jobs and generating significant revenue. The global nuclear waste management market is projected to surpass $4.9 billion by 2024, with strong growth expected over the next decade. By capitalizing on this opportunity, the U.S. could reduce its trade deficit and enhance its economic resilience.

Strategically, developing a domestic reprocessing industry would bolster national security by reducing reliance on foreign uranium. It would also position the U.S. as a leader in next-generation nuclear technology, enhancing its competitiveness on the global stage. This aligns with broader efforts to restore America's leadership in nuclear energy and technology, ensuring that the U.S. remains at the forefront of innovation and nonproliferation standards.

Donald Trump is uniquely positioned to address the challenges posed by foreign uranium dependency. His track record of negotiating complex deals and his understanding of the strategic importance of domestic energy production make him a suitable candidate to lead efforts in revitalizing the U.S. nuclear fuel industry. Trump's previous initiatives, such as the establishment of the U.S. Nuclear Fuel Working Group, demonstrate his commitment to strengthening national security through energy independence.

By leveraging his unique skill set in negotiation and foreign diplomacy, Trump could secure favorable agreements with uranium-producing countries, facilitate the development of domestic reprocessing capabilities, enhance U.S. energy security, create economic opportunities and reduce environmental waste through advanced recycling technologies.