NATO spending plans vulnerable to reliance on Chinese minerals

The US and Europe need to move quickly on concrete projects that diversify military supply chains away from an over-dependence on Chinese critical minerals, according to senior officials from a NATO country. Failing to do so would make plans agreed by NATO members to increase defense spending vulnerable by allowing Beijing to retain a strategic advantage and the ability to deny essential supplies, the officials said on condition of anonymity to discuss private assessments. The European Union and Washington reached a deal last Friday to coordinate on securing critical minerals and bolstering supply chains, in a move meant to reduce…