US Military Aims for Independence from Foreign Suppliers
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed on Fox News that the U.S. military plans to break its long-standing reliance on foreign suppliers.
A recent report highlighted China’s dominance in lithium-ion battery production, controlling over 80% of the global supply, which poses risks to the U.S. defense sector. In an interview on The Will Cain Show, Hegseth noted that the Trump administration was proactive from the very beginning, moving swiftly to ensure American military operations could function independently.
“We don’t need China. We’re not relying on anyone else. The U.S. military can operate decisively, even after decades of neglect,” he stated. He pointed out President Trump’s approach as pivotal, emphasizing that while the U.S. has allies, it should be able to independently source its own minerals.
Hegseth underscored the importance of substantial investment bills aimed at enhancing defense capabilities. These include funding for systems like the Iron Dome, advanced weaponry, drones, submarines, and border security measures. He asserted that the entire military supply chain should be developed domestically.
“We have the best equipment and capabilities in the world. We’re moving at hyperdrive. This recent significant bill will allocate another $150 billion for investments in technologies such as hypersonics and border security,” he added. “Everything from submarines to advanced defense systems is being prioritized.”
He explained that the U.S. is accelerating efforts to ensure all parts of the defense supply chain are sourced domestically.
“It’s all sourced in America. We need to source locally to support our logistics. Both our allies and adversaries are aware of this shift, which enhances our independence,” Hegseth commented.
Steps have already been taken by the Trump administration to decrease reliance on China for rare earth elements, including lithium. A report from the Foundation for Democracy Defense cautioned that adversaries could severely impact the economy by restricting access to these critical materials.
“Without access to essential raw materials and components, our enemies could potentially undermine us by withholding these key inputs,” the report noted.
