On The Record On U.S. Economic Security and Competition
Nov 21, 2025
James D. Taiclet, CEO of Lockheed Martin, discusses the complexities of defense supply chains and the urgent need for transparency. Justin G. Muzinich, former U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary, emphasizes the importance of strategic economic decoupling from China, despite potential costs. Gina M. Raimondo, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, shares insights on the CHIPS Act and the need for targeted government investments in critical technologies. The conversation highlights U.S. vulnerabilities and the necessity for collaboration with allies to bolster economic security.
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China's Strategic Supply Chain Leverage
- The U.S. faces deep dependencies on China across critical inputs like rare earths and pharmaceuticals.
- These dependencies create strategic vulnerabilities that require coordinated policy responses.
Mobilize Markets And Allies
- Mobilize public and private sectors together and align with allies to regain technological leadership.
- Use U.S. capital markets and democratic partnerships rather than imitating China's state-led model.
F-35 Magnet Discovery
- Lockheed Martin found a tiny magnet traced to China deep in the F-35 supply chain and had to seek waivers and alternative sources.
- That example shows how opaque multi-tier supply chains can hide single points of failure.
