Securing critical supply chains in an age of great power rivalry

The United States confronts a defining challenge in protecting supply chains that sustain both military readiness and civilian life. The traditional boundaries between national security and economic policy blur when hostile powers can physically disrupt the production of essential goods during a crisis. America’s dependencies on adversaries for critical inputs—from pharmaceuticals to semiconductors—make securing these production capabilities essential not only for defense preparedness, but also for the health, safety, and economic stability of American society.

On December 5, join the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology at Brookings to examine supply chain resilience and the national security industrial base in the context of strategic competition. The event will explore how both China and the United States would be affected by a rapid economic cutoff during a conflict, examining the asymmetries and mutual vulnerabilities in the bilateral relationship. The participants will consider policy options for securing critical supply chains without sacrificing the benefits of global trade and innovation. Online viewers can submit questions via e-mail to [email protected].