European countries are planning to nearly double their military spending over the next decade to boost their defense industries, but they face challenges in developing high-end alternatives to U.S. military technology like the F-35, leading to a strategic debate between building domestic capabilities and maintaining reliance on American technology. A mixed approach is emerging, balancing increased investment with continued dependence on U.S. defense systems, amid concerns about future access to critical software and technology updates.
The article discusses how the US has become heavily dependent on China for rare earth metals, which are crucial for military and industrial applications, and how China's recent halt of exports threatens US industry and military capabilities, highlighting the complexities of global supply chains and geopolitical tensions.
The US faces potential severe disruptions in manufacturing due to China's recent export restrictions on rare earth magnets, which are crucial for industries like automotive and electronics. China produces 90% of the world's high-performance rare earth magnets, and US reliance on Chinese supply chains has led to shortages and production halts, highlighting the need for domestic production and supply chain resilience.
