A new report has revealed something surprising: the United States still depends heavily on China for important parts used in its military, even though the two countries could become enemies in a future war.
What Did the Report Find?
The report, by a data company called Govini, shows that almost 1 in 10 critical parts used in major US defense systems come from Chinese companies. These include important sectors like:
- Missile defense
- Nuclear systems
- Aviation
- Space technology
The biggest concern is in missile defense, where over 11% of top suppliers are from China. Even in the nuclear sector, about 7.8% of suppliers are Chinese — more than any other foreign country.
Experts worry that if the US ever has to go to war with China, this dependence could become a big risk. Tara Dougherty, CEO of Govini, said that “the US is not prepared” if China suddenly decided to go to war.
Read more: China Reacts: Next Dalai Lama Needs Beijing’s Nod, Must Be Picked via ‘Golden…’
Can the US Just Stop Using Chinese Parts?
It’s not that easy. Removing China completely from the supply chain is complicated and could hurt the defense industry. Dougherty said it’s not just about cutting ties but understanding which parts are truly critical and which are not.
The Mineral Problem
Another major issue is critical minerals. Weapons like jets, ships, and missiles rely on minerals such as antimony, gallium, germanium, tungsten, and tellurium — most of which are controlled by China.
According to the report, 78% of US weapons could be affected if China decides to stop exporting these minerals. This has already started to happen, as China recently placed restrictions on some rare earth materials as part of its trade battle with the US.
Despite trying to reduce its reliance on China, the US still depends on Chinese companies and materials for many key defense systems. This raises serious concerns about how ready America really is for a potential conflict with China.
