Krishnamoorthi Calls on White House to Address Economic ‘Chokepoints’ from U.S. Dependence on China

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), sent a letter to National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett expressing concern over the growing economic risks posed by America’s dependence on the People’s Republic of China (PRC) across key sectors.

In his letter, Krishnamoorthi warned that the PRC’s dominance in critical minerals, manufacturing, and agriculture has created “economic chokepoints” that could be weaponized to coerce the United States. He urged the Administration to adopt a coordinated federal strategy to identify and mitigate such vulnerabilities before they are exploited.

“The PRC’s dominance in the production and processing of critical minerals is a prime example of how economic dependence can quickly evolve into strategic leverage,” Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi writes in the letter. “The PRC currently controls roughly 70 percent of global rare earth mining and more than 90 percent of the world’s magnet manufacturing capacity, granting Beijing considerable influence over the supply chains underpinning advanced manufacturing, clean energy technologies, and national defense.”

The letter requests that the National Economic Council provide Congress with details on any ongoing efforts to assess and “de-risk” U.S. dependencies on Chinese-controlled supply chains. It also calls for greater transparency and public reporting on how the Administration is working to safeguard critical sectors, including pharmaceuticals, industrial machinery, and clean energy technologies.

Furthermore, the letter asks whether the National Economic Council is coordinating with the Departments of Commerce, Defense, Energy, Treasury, and the U.S. Trade Representative to conduct a comprehensive mapping of supply chain vulnerabilities, and requests updates on contingency measures, scenario planning, and international cooperation aimed at reinforcing resilient supply chains.

“Absent decisive action, the United States will continue to learn about CCP chokepoints only after they have been weaponized against us,” Krishnamoorthi writes. “As our strategic competition deepens, we cannot afford to remain reactive. A forward-leaning national strategy, one that identifies and mitigates chokepoints before they are exploited, is essential to preserving America’s economic sovereignty and industrial security.”

Read the full letter HERE.

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