From: allin
The United States faces a significant challenge in its self-sufficiency, particularly concerning critical supply chains [00:00:00]. There is a concern that the nation is not in a position to produce its own necessary resources, leading to a dependence on external entities whose perspectives on the U.S. can change rapidly [00:00:06].
Critical Areas for Protection
To safeguard its interests, the U.S. needs to measure and protect four critical areas [00:00:15]:
- Technology: This includes both chips and the enabling technologies for artificial intelligence, requiring a robust, largely American supply chain [00:00:21].
- Energy: The U.S. lacks the capability to quickly produce the energy it needs [00:00:31].
- Critical Material Inputs: These materials drive future material science [00:00:44]. The nation faces a problem with critical minerals and rare earths inputs [00:00:49].
- Pharma APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients): Ensuring the ability to make, design, and manufacture these is crucial when American citizens fall ill [00:00:54].
Energy Dependency
A key concern within the energy sector is the nation’s reliance on external supply chains. Specifically, critical supply chains related to photovoltaics (solar panels) can be shut off by China [00:00:39]. This highlights a need for improvements in energy production capabilities and a more resilient energy policy to ensure self-sufficiency.