DEFENSE/NATIONAL SECURITY: “The White House said it is conducting a broad review of the strength of the U.S. defense-industrial sector to try to correct weaknesses in advanced technology and industrial policy.
The Pentagon has long been worried that the decline in important parts of U.S. manufacturing has weakened U.S. national security. The review, to be completed in 270 days, asks the Defense Department and other agencies to assess industry’s strengths and weaknesses, the White House said. The review stems from an executive order expected to be signed on Friday [7-28-17]…
The review will assess the ability of U.S. industry to fill defense needs. Mr. Navarro said that certain kinds of semiconductors and printed-circuit boards have become ‘endangered species.’ He also named flat-panel displays for aircraft and so-called rare-earth minerals used in high-tech products as U.S. weaknesses.”
-Bob Davis, “White House to Tackle Manufacturing Gaps It Says Weaken U.S. Security,” The Wall Street Journal online, July 21, 2017 04:06pm