Trump claims Korea Zinc's Tennessee smelter as a tariff-driven investment win

Donald Trump used a campaign rally in Clarksville, Tennessee, to promote Korea Zinc's upcoming Project Crucible, describing it as a direct result of his tariff regime. He claimed the Korean firm will invest over $6 billion and create roughly 740 jobs across Montgomery and Smith counties. The planned facility, a $7.4 billion integrated smelter, will process zinc, lead, copper, silver and a suite of eleven minerals classified as critical by the U.S. government.

Washington officials have highlighted the project as a key element in a broader strategy to build domestic processing capacity and reduce dependence on China for essential materials. The venture was mentioned at a critical-minerals roundtable at the State Department and featured in analyses by the International Energy Agency and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. For Korea Zinc, the U.S. expansion could position the company at the center of the nation’s critical-mineral supply chain push.