Trump administration names helium a critical material amid fears over global supply and its role in making semiconductors

US helium producers will gain improved access to federal financing, and the government has pledged closer monitoring of the gas. The Energy Department described helium as indispensable to semiconductor manufacturing. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said President Trump is 'bringing back America's manufacturing industry'. Federal filings label the gas 'non-substitutable' in quantum computing and for leak-testing gas pipelines.

Iranian strikes on Qatar's Ras Laffan helium plant in March added fresh disruption to already strained supply chains.

Despite being the world's largest helium producer, the US continues to grapple with domestic shortages.

Helium is the 20th entry on the critical materials list, with only fluorine also qualifying as a gas.