The White House (via OMB) strongly protests Congressional efforts within the FY 2027 NDAA to prohibit the purchase of warships from foreign shipyards. The Administration argues that these restrictions undermine national security by limiting flexibility and hindering its strategy of leveraging allied yards, such as in the 'Finland model,' to drive investment into U.S. shipbuilding capacity. This signals a significant policy shift toward integrating international partners into advanced naval construction, suggesting the Pentagon is prepared to bypass traditional domestic build requirements for future combat vessels.
The UK can’t break off critical mineral links with China. But it can understand its vulnerabilities
English Summary
The UK cannot afford a total decoupling from China's critical mineral supply chains, as the economy relies heavily on China for market access and financing, particularly in the private mining sector. Rather than pursuing separation, the UK must adopt a nuanced strategy that acknowledges genuine vulnerabilities while maintaining constructive engagement. Policy recommendations center on mitigating risk through clear guidelines, such as limiting Chinese influence on the corporate governance of UK-listed mining firms and establishing robust protections for commercially sensitive data in shared infrastructure. This approach allows the UK to manage geopolitical risks without sacrificing vital economic ties.
中文摘要
英國無法承受與中國關鍵礦物供應鏈完全脫鉤的風險,因為其經濟在市場准入和融資方面,特別是在私營採礦部門,高度依賴中國。因此,英國不應追求分離,而必須採取一種細膩的策略:在承認實際的脆弱性的同時,維持建設性的參與。政策建議的核心是透過明確的指導方針來減輕風險,例如限制中國對在英國上市的礦業公司公司治理的影響,並為共享基礎設施中的商業敏感數據建立強健的保護機制。這種方法使英國能夠在不犧牲關鍵經濟聯繫的前提下,管理地緣政治風險。
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