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The United States designated helium a critical material on Friday, citing its essential role in semiconductor manufacturing and energy production, as well as growing concerns about disruptions to global supplies.
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The decision by the U.S. Department of Energy will make additional federal funding available to helium producers and place the material under closer government oversight.
Helium is primarily extracted as a byproduct of natural gas processing. The United States is the world’s largest producer of natural gas and helium, with Qatar and Russia also among the major helium producers.
Qatar’s helium exports have been seriously disrupted by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, amid war with Israel and the United States. Iranian strikes on Qatari infrastructure have further affected supplies, while Russia introduced temporary export restrictions in April to protect its domestic market.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the Trump administration seeks to reduce reliance on foreign sources of critical materials, boost domestic production, support U.S. employment and strengthen economic and national security.
“President Trump is bringing back American manufacturing, and that means making sure we have the materials we need to build things in America again,” Wright said in a statement.
Europe faces growing pressure on helium supplies
As the United States seeks to boost domestic production, Europe faces growing difficulties in securing helium supplies, made worse by China’s decision in July to impose a temporary ban on exports of the gas.
Although China is not a major producer of helium, it has served as a transit hub for Russian supplies arriving in Europe, according to a July Financial Times report.
The EU banned direct imports of Russian helium in 2024, but some supplies reportedly continued to reach European markets via China.
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