Economic Strength and Military Power for Deterrence

Why It Matters

Integrating economic resilience with military deterrence safeguards critical supply chains and counters China’s coercive tactics, directly influencing U.S. strategic stability and global market confidence.

Key Takeaways

• 2025 saw unprecedented progress in mineral supply chains.
• Report highlights China's price manipulation of critical minerals.
• Dual-use tech links supply chains to military capabilities.
• Strengthening economic and technological assets essential for deterrence.
• Robust military posture needed to counter aggression over Taiwan.

Summary

The video reviews 2025’s remarkable advances in critical mineral supply chains, innovative government tools, and new partnerships, framing them against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tension with China. Committee member Jeremy underscores the need to measure 2026’s success by how well vulnerabilities—particularly in mineral pricing and dual‑use technologies—are addressed. Key insights include a December report documenting China’s manipulation of critical mineral prices, the recognition that many of these resources power both civilian and military applications, and the call for bolstered economic and technological capabilities to underwrite deterrence. The discussion also highlights China’s aggressive posture toward Taiwan as a catalyst for integrating defense considerations into supply‑chain strategy. Jeremy’s remarks—“we have to strengthen our economic, technological capabilities, but also recognize we need a strong military to deter aggression”—illustrate the committee’s dual‑track approach, combining market reforms with defense readiness. Real‑world examples such as partnerships with allied nations on rare‑earth mining reinforce the policy direction. The implications are clear: policymakers must align industrial policy with national security, investing in resilient supply chains while maintaining credible military forces. Failure to do so could erode strategic advantage and embolden adversarial actions, especially in the Indo‑Pacific region.

Original Description

Rep. John Moolenaar, Chairman of the House Select Committee on China, joined the CSIS Critical Minerals Security Program to discuss the importance of focusing on critical minerals in order to build deterrence through economic strength.