Defense and National Security

Please join ITIF for an important policy conference on what U.S. policymakers must do to prevent America from suffering a catastrophic defeat in its techno-economic-trade war with China. At stake are vital production capabilities in the advanced, traded-sector industries that provide the foundation for economic strength and national security in the 21st century.

The United States is at serious risk of becoming dependent on China for a wide array of key technologies and products, which would significantly shift the global balance of techno-economic power. Only fundamental policy change can potentially keep the United States from defeat.

The TikTok deal shows that targeted structural safeguards can address data security risks without banning foreign apps outright. It also highlights unresolved challenges around reciprocity, uneven enforcement, and how governments should handle other Chinese tech platforms going forward.

Trade is not an end in itself; it is a tool the U.S. should use to build allied power and constrain the CCP. We must move beyond trade agreements toward comprehensive strategic partnerships.

Watch now for expert panel discussion on an important new report that outlines China’s goals and strategy, explains why this moment marks a historical turning point, and defines the nature and importance of national power industries. Panelists discussed flaws in prevailing China policy frameworks and explore why the field of corporate strategy should guide the creation of a coherent National Power Industry Strategy.

Europe, your vision of a green, integrated, and non-disruptive world is lovely. But it’s time to wake up and build the industrial and military capabilities that today’s world demands.

Watch now for an expert panel discussion as we discuss a new ITIF report on policy solutions to non-tariff attacks (NTAs), and explore the stakes for U.S. innovation, technology leadership, and global competitiveness.

China is on the march to dominate advanced industries that underpin national power in the 21st century. To protect U.S. economic strength and national security, policymakers must jettison old techno-economic and trade policy doctrines and adopt a new national power industry strategy.

Instead of treating manufacturing as a monolith to be revived, policymakers must focus on national power industries. These industries protect U.S. national defense and economic security, and are eroding at an alarming rate.

Proposals in Congress to expand right-to-repair rules for defense systems risk weakening military innovation and safety by forcing contractors to disclose proprietary intellectual property that already falls under existing DOD access rights.