27th Parliamentary-Intelligence Security Forum – Critical Minerals/Global Supply Chain

Pro. Milos Ivkovic argued that the core problem in critical minerals and supply chains must be clearly defined before solutions can be crafted. In his view, global supply chains have become excessively China-centric by design, creating a national security vulnerability for the United States and its allies. He contended that much of the technological foundation now leveraged by China originated in the United States, making the current imbalance partly self-inflicted.

He emphasized that while cooperation with allies is essential, Washington must first address domestic constraints. Many resource-rich partner countries lack the infrastructure, energy capacity, and financing needed to build refineries, battery plants, and processing facilities. Since Chinese capital currently dominates much of this space, he argued that the United States must resolve policy, financing, and industrial strategy gaps at home before credibly inviting allies to participate in diversified supply chains. Respecting the sovereignty of mineral-holding nations and integrating them as equal partners, he said, is critical.

He further called for a far more aggressive response to what he described as systemic abuses, including price dumping, forced labor, and human rights violations in overseas mining operations. Labeling the World Trade Organization ineffective in enforcement, Ivkovic expressed support for stronger use of tariffs, sanctions, criminal prosecutions, and asset seizures to counter what he characterized as economic warfare. He argued that extreme price dumping prevents U.S. firms from entering the market without incurring losses, given their fiduciary obligations to shareholders.

To counter this dynamic, Ivkovic urged Congress to advance legislation that shields domestic companies from predatory pricing and enables the creation of alternative supply networks that exclude entities engaged in unlawful or coercive practices. Ultimately, he maintained that securing broader access to critical minerals while constraining abusive trade behavior would limit China’s leverage and restore competitive balance in strategic industries.