A new geopolitical landscape is emerging centered around the control of strategic minerals essential for modern technology and green energy transitions. The article examines how federalism within nations impacts the ability to secure and manage these critical resources. Control over these “chokepoints” – the sources, processing, and supply chains of these minerals – is becoming a key factor in international political and economic power. The concentration of these resources in specific countries, and the potential for national policies to restrict access, creates vulnerabilities for importing nations. This dynamic shifts power away from traditional economic dominance and towards resource-rich states. The analysis suggests a need to reassess international trade and security strategies in light of this evolving resource-based competition, moving beyond conventional understandings of the global political economy. Ultimately, the governance of these mineral supply chains will significantly shape future international relations.