Sen. Young joins “Threat Status” to discuss U.S.-China competition on critical minerals, biotech, and shipbuilding

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, joined the “Threat Status” program hosted by the Washington Times to discuss the ongoing U.S.-China competition.

Young discussed how recent Chinese restrictions on rare earth mineral exports could have a detrimental impact on the U.S. defense industry and said Beijing’s dominance over the processing of the materials is emerging as a key aspect of U.S.-China competition.

“This competition is currently shaping our lives in fundamental ways,” said Young. “It is poised to shape our children’s lives in even more fundamental ways, economically, in terms of our national security and every other facet of life.”

Earlier this year, Young laid out the start of an aggressive strategy, including his STRATEGIC Minerals Act, to encourage the Trump Administration to collaborate with other countries and reduce America’s exposure to China.

“They have vast stores of rare earth minerals and other critical minerals that they provide into the American market,” said Young. “These are key inputs as we electrify our economy. And they’re also key inputs to other, important, manufactured goods like defense articles. We literally cannot produce our defense goods without access to rare earth minerals.”

Young also discussed his work as Chairman of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology. The Commission delivered an action plan earlier this year, with a warning that the U.S.-China competition on biotech will “define the coming century.”

Finally, Young discussed the SHIPS for America Act, legislation he introduced with Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) aimed at revitalizing America’s domestic shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries.

To watch the full “Threat Status” interview with Senator Young, click here.