100-day reviews under EO 14017: Building resilient supply chains, revitalizing American manufacturing, and fostering broad-based growth

Country / jurisdiction: United States · Year: 2021 · Status: In force · Level: National · Type: Voluntary

Executive Order 14017 called for a report within the first 100 days of President Biden's term focusing on assessing vulnerabilities in key supply chains. The report covers semiconductor manufacturing, large capacity batteries, critical minerals and pharmaceuticals. A task force across various government departments compiled the reports through consultations, public comments and analytic research. The second phase of the initiative will review six additional industrial base sectors, with a report due by February 24, 2022.

Review of critical minerals and materials

The report emphasises the significance of strategic and critical materials as essential components for a robust economy and national defence, present in various electronic devices and supporting high-value manufacturing sectors. It highlights the global supply chain's vulnerability to disruptions, including natural disasters, political intervention and trade practices like forced labour. The report stresses that these challenges impact not only military readiness but the entire U.S. economy.  The need for strategic and critical materials is expected to intensify due to their role in electric vehicles, wind turbines and advanced batteries.

The assessment calls for a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to address the geopolitical competition and challenges in these supply chains, necessitating collaboration with allies, partners and the private and non-profit sectors. The interagency assessment, led by the Department of Defense, underscores the unique capabilities of various U.S. government agencies to contribute to supply chain sustainability. The report traces the historical context of supply chain reorientation since the end of the Cold War, emphasising the shift towards economic efficiency over diversity and sustainability. It notes the concentration of strategic and critical material suppliers offshore, contributing to risks like forced labour and environmental concerns.

The report calls for decisive and comprehensive action by the Biden-Harris Administration, Congress and other stakeholders to ensure the sustainable production and conservation of strategic and critical materials. It stresses that the Department of Defense cannot accomplish this task alone and advocates for a national effort to secure the supply chains for these essential materials in the face of 21st-century challenges.

Official source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/100-day-supply-chain-review-report.pdf