Witnesses Warn of China Processing Choke Point for Critical Minerals, Urge Ally-Shoring and Stockpiles

Experts testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific identified critical-mineral processing and concentrated supply chains as acute vulnerabilities and urged coordinated diplomatic and economic responses.

Why it matters: Dependence on foreign processing for key inputs—batteries, magnets and other advanced-material components—creates immediate security and industrial risks in crises and could hamper defense production and economic resiliency.

Elaine Dzanski said the United States must “break that choke hold” on processing, and recommended deeper partnerships with like-valued allies to build redundant supply chains. She highlighted the need for targeted industrial incentives and policies that address price volatility and processing bottlenecks.

Dr. William Norris suggested a combination of measures: strategic stockpiles for critical inputs, diversification to trusted partners, and selective reshoring of production where national-security externalities are clear. He argued that government action should be precise and evidence-based, focused on the specific vulnerabilities that threaten national security.

Representative Ami Bera and other members pointed to existing programs, including the Mineral Security Partnership, as examples of allied cooperation. Witnesses also discussed finance and procurement tools to encourage domestic and allied capacity without adopting broad protectionist industrial policy.

No legislative decisions were taken at the hearing; witnesses’ recommendations were offered for committee consideration as part of the broader State Department authorization work.