As the new term of the Trump administration gets settled, the United States economy sits at a crossroads. With hundreds of billions invested in the energy transition by the previous administration, aimed towards long-term economic and energy security, the stage is set for the United States to take the next step in maintaining its status as the world leader in sustainable technology.Internationally, countries are jockeying to control this trillion dollar market, and while China has an early manufacturing lead, the U.S. industrial and tech sectors can prove to be a decision maker. By focusing on market-driven solutions and domestic resource development, the Trump administration can accelerate what the Biden administration did for the green economy by expediting permits and loosening regulatory approvals, while further strengthening national security and creating high-paying jobs.Critical mineralsAmericas transition to clean energy requires a robust domestic supply of critical minerals, with lithium playing a central role in our energy future. The U.S. possesses significant lithium reserves, particularly in Nevada, California, Texas, and Arkansas, that remain largely untapped. As Trumps ally Elon Musk has pointed out several times, investing in lithium refining is a license to printing money, and contributes directly to the energy and automotive industry through the production of lithium-ion batteries.The United States must maintain a strong presence in critical economic sectors. With EVs being the primary driver of battery demand, the shift toward EVs poses a challenge to the U.S. automotive industry, a key pillar of the nations economy. Over a million Americans are employed in motor vehicle and parts manufacturing, an industry that also plays a fundamental role in the countrys metalworking expertise.This underscores the importance of the ongoing U.S. steel saga and why keeping these industries under American control makes the economy stronger. As other nations scramble to source their own supply of lithium and other critical minerals for the transition, we have the opportunity to reduce dependence on foreign entities and empower U.S. businesses.Embrace the transitionElectrical vehicle (EV) adoption is a win-win for the U.S. The link between dependence on foreign oil and economic recessions plagued Americans in 2022 with high gas prices. While the benefits of EVs and renewable energy are very clear in the context of shifting global economic priorities, America needs to fully commit to it lest it find itself too far behind to compete.This means significantly ramping up our current production.To enhance the scale of domestic EV supply chains, the U.S. military aims to create a dedicated market for American companies by utilizing next-generation batteries in a select group of military vehicles, drones, and equipmentexcluding current lithium-ion technologies and Chinese suppliers. Likewise, these initiatives could extend to other government agencies procuring batteries, such as the U.S. Postal Service fleet and the 28 other federal agencies that have pledged to increase EV adoption.This would go a long way in creating a fast and efficient supply chain for consumer-facing products. Supporting this could be government-led policies and public-private projects connecting domestic mining operations with local electric vehicles and renewable energy manufacturing further integrating supply chains which will benefit the rural areas in which lithium and other minerals are found. High paying jobs, upskilling opportunities, and the economic development of towns and cities are the direct benefits before we begin to consider the accepted financial gains that everyday Americans will make once the EV and renewable energy sector are implemented at scale.What is next?By reducing barriers to private sector investment, streamlining regulations, and supporting domestic resource development, the Trump administration can lead in developing clean energy solutions that benefit the economy and the environment. Environmental stewardship and economic growth are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary goals that can be achieved through smart, market-driven policies.The U.S. can be the first green global economy, or we can continue being dependent on foreign interests, selling off American assets like U.S. steel, and trusting foreign powers to run supply chains critical to our national security: This is the crossroads we currently sit at. All indications point towards this second iteration of the Trump administration being good for U.S. businesses for the sake of a strong American economy, this means committing to the transition that entire industries have been prepping for since he last took office.Teague Egan is CEO of EnergyX.The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more.