Copper Becomes A National Security Risk: AI Demand vs. Defense Supply Chains | Phil Ehr

Retired US Navy Commander Phil Ehr joins Kitco News to break down why the global copper market is rapidly transitioning from a basic industrial story into a critical national security risk.Commander Ehr details how maritime chokepoints, specifically the Strait of Hormuz, are threatening the sulfuric acid supply chains required for copper refining. He unpacks the looming 2027 Pentagon procurement deadlines restricting materials from adversarial nations and warns that the defense sector will likely take priority over the consumer grid and AI data centers as critical mineral supplies tighten."Copper is the glue that holds it all together," warns Commander Ehr, noting its non-negotiable role in everything from advanced missile guidance to the modern power grid.Recorded June 2 2026Follow Jeremy Szafron on X: @JeremySzafron (https://twitter.com/JeremySzafron)Follow Kitco News on X: @KitcoNewsNOW (https://twitter.com/kitconewsnow)Follow Phil Ehr on X: @PhilEhr (https://twitter.com/PhilEhr)00:00 Copper Becomes Security01:20 Meet Commander Phil Ehr02:44 Why Copper Powers Defense05:15 Hormuz Chokepoint Shock08:05 2027 Pentagon Sourcing Rules10:05 Rare Earth Export Squeeze12:19 Mining Timelines vs AI Demand16:50 Who Gets Copper First18:43 Allied Supply Chain Push20:57 Finding Real Copper Projects23:54 Campaign Plug and Signoff24:50 Final Takeaway #Copper #NationalSecurity #SupplyChain #Macroeconomics #KitcoNews__________________________________________________________________Like, share, and subscribe to Kitco News—and turn on alerts to stay current with expert interviews, market insights, and breaking news coverage. FOLLOW US:  X: https://x.com/kitconewsnow  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kitconews  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KitcoNews  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kitconewsListen to the PODCAST on🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1My4WgtF0ZhUnxkxDLoJof🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kitco-news/id1842889233🎧 All podcast episodes available here → https://kitconews.buzzsprout.comVisit: https://Kitco.com/ for live gold, silver, and crypto prices, the latest mining news, and macroeconomic insights.  Live gold price and chart: https://www.kitco.com/charts/goldLive silver price and chart: https://www.kitco.com/charts/silverLive crypto market data: https://www.kitco.com/price/cryptoLearn more about Kitco News: https://www.kitco.com/news/about/ For more information on advertising, sponsorship and marketing promotions – please visit our online media kit at: https://www.kitco.com/advertising  Disclaimer:  The videos are not intended to provide trading advice, and the views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. Kitco News, its anchors, producers, and reporters are not responsible in any way for the performance or actions of any sponsor, advertiser or affiliate of Kitco News. In no event will Kitco and its employees be held liable for any indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use of the content in this video.Disclaimer:  The videos are not intended to provide trading advice, and the views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. Kitco News, its anchors, producers, and reporters are not responsible in any way for the performance or actions of any sponsor, advertiser or affiliate of Kitco News. In no event will Kitco and its employees be held liable for any indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use of the content in this video.