Our national security depends on our independence from China
District of Columbia | May 28, 2021
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we witnessed firsthand the breakdown in our supply chains when federal, state, and local entities had to compete with one another for simple personal protective equipment. It was a terrifying glimpse into a future situation that has the potential to be mimicked on a larger, more dangerous scale. This realization showed how the country needs a more robust dialogue with business leaders about the impact of doing business in and with China.
We can no longer assume that any product, no matter how high- or low-tech, is not critical or that the supply of those items is assured. If our collective experience with COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is that many of our medical and critical technology supply chains are entirely dependent on a nation that does not share our values. Building domestic resilience in these supply chains is a vital homeland security mission.
The question we face now is: How can we create more supply chain security and ensure we are better prepared for future crises?
The most important first step is to identify needs across the economy and do so in a way that allows for effective communication with the companies that operate in critical sectors. Without a complete understanding not only of critical items but also the ecosystems those items depend on, we will forever remain vulnerable to global shocks. We must have an immediate discussion about what level of vulnerability we are willing to accept and from where. I believe the Department of Homeland Security, which has the experience and capability to carry out this undertaking, is the clear nexus to provide this critical assessment….
(Excerpts from the Washington Examiner)