Pentagon warns China’s grip on materials supply a ‘significant and growing risk’ to US security
Department of Defence report flags nearly 300 vulnerabilities facing America as depends on vital imported components for its armed forces
China represents a “significant and growing risk” to the supply of materials vital to the US military, according to a new Pentagon-led report that seeks to mend weaknesses in core US industries vital to national security.
The nearly 150-page report, released on Friday, concluded there are nearly 300 vulnerabilities that could affect critical materials and components essential to the US military.
The analysis included a series of recommendations to strengthen American industry, including by expanding direct investment in sectors deemed critical. The specific plans were listed in an unreleased, classified annex.
China was given heavy emphasis in the report. It was singled out for dominating the global supply of rare earth minerals critical in US military applications. The report also noted China’s global profile in the supply of certain kinds of electronics as well as chemicals used in US munitions.
“A key finding of this report is that China represents a significant and growing risk to the supply of materials and technologies deemed strategic and critical to US national security,” the report said.
