Washington DC 2 May 2023
From off-shoring in the 1990s to on-shoring in 2020s
The 1990s trend of shipping everything offshore and just in time / sensitive production are great for a peacetime economy but an Achilles heel in high-intensity high-tech conflict. No thought was given to this in the "peace dividend" decade. So now we have to pay a premium if we are to reconstitute these industries. Big IF - hugely expensive and cannot be done overnight. Runs against commercial imperatives. One wonders if the cost/benefit adds up?
Vital materials are not processed in US or 'west' because the process is environmentally damaging. However, there is a strategic need to break out of supply chains control by adversaries. This relates more to munitions, not platforms. The former will be produced during a conflict, the latter not in sufficient numbers to matter. Repair, maintenance and munitions are where this will count. Same with semi conductors.
There should be a commercial case for on-shoring high priority materials as well as chips - in addition to a strategic case. Experts in these fields need to come up with a list and sell it to potential US investors or manufacturers to on-shore. If a commercial case can not be made, and the highest priority items are as vital as many believe, then yes... government has a role.
Made a decision and get on with it. If it's decided that it's not feasible then prepare for the consequences. Inaction is not the answer here.