Westerman and Griffin warn of Chinese influence, urge onshoring of critical supplies

Governor Tim Griffin and Rep. Bruce Westerman used a town-hall exchange to raise concerns about China’s influence in U.S. institutions and the vulnerability of supply chains exposed by the pandemic.

Griffin cited recent federal charges against a University of Arkansas professor for alleged undisclosed financial relationships with Chinese academic contacts and read from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s remarks that "competition with China is not just a federal issue" — arguing states and institutions must be vigilant. Westerman agreed and described the Chinese Communist Party’s global economic strategy, including the "One Belt, One Road" initiative and concentrated control of inputs such as rare-earth minerals that feed manufacturing supply chains.

Both officials said the pandemic has highlighted dependence on foreign suppliers for personal protective equipment and pharmaceuticals. Westerman pointed to shortages of materials used in N95 masks and said that some raw inputs for those masks are produced overseas, limiting domestic capacity even where cut-and-sew lines exist.

They advocated for federal action to strengthen and diversify supply chains, encourage onshoring where practical, and prioritize trusted allies for production when returning manufacturing entirely to the U.S. is not feasible. Westerman noted a likely push in Congress to adjust incentives to move manufacturing back or to allied countries, citing national-security and economic arguments.