What Happened
New Executive Order Targets Critical Minerals And Foreign Suppliers
The US has introduced a new executive order aimed at reducing reliance on overseas supply chains for weapons production. The order makes it harder for defense contractors to obtain waivers allowing them to buy critical minerals and other materials from prohibited foreign suppliers, such as China. Companies will now need to prove they have searched for alternative suppliers, explain the origins of their materials, and lay out a plan to move away from prohibited suppliers. The move is part of the Pentagon’s efforts to address persistent vulnerabilities in the supply chains that feed the US military, as reported by Defense News.