Tanks, Tech, and Tungsten: The Strategic Mineral Alliance the West Needs

The West's ability to build tanks and advanced military technology is dangerously dependent on critical minerals, such as tungsten and cobalt, controlled by China. To counter this strategic vulnerability, the United States and the European Union should forge a new alliance focused specifically on securing these materials for defense applications. Spurred by the war in Ukraine, Europe is already mobilizing significant funds and policies to bolster its defense industry, creating a prime opportunity for this transatlantic cooperation. Such a partnership would strengthen NATO's deterrence, enhance military readiness, and reduce the collective reliance on a strategic competitor for vital resources.