RT @KeepItMadeinUSA: New Report: U.S. Too Dependent on Foreign Suppliers in Crises

RT @KeepItMadeinUSA: New Report: U.S. Too Dependent on Foreign Suppliers in Crises

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Washington, DC.  The United States is at risk of being dangerously unprepared for serious emergencies because of the offshoring of critical manufacturing sectors and a reliance on foreign suppliers for products needed in the wake of catastrophic events.  According to a groundbreaking report released today by the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), the U.S. must revitalize its manufacturing capacity to reduce such vulnerability.

The report was co-authored by Tom Ridge, the first secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Robert B. Stephan, a former Assistant Secretary for Homeland Security for Infrastructure Protection.

“There is a direct nexus between a strong domestic manufacturing sector and America’s ability to prevent, mitigate, recover from, and rebuild quickly in the wake of catastrophic events,” said Ridge.  “Revitalizing America’s domestic manufacturing capacity must become a clear and urgent national priority at all levels of government and among industry leaders.”

The report illustrates the growing frequency of major catastrophic events, man-made and natural, as well as new threats like cyber attacks and pandemics.  It contains specific recommendations for restoring the nation’s internal capacity to address emergencies, including revitalized manufacturing, investment in America’s infrastructure using U.S.-made materials, strengthened public-private collaboration, and enforcement of trade laws.

The United States now relies on foreign suppliers for everything from steel, cement, batteries, and critical high-technology components to every day medical supplies such as antibiotics and penicillin.  The resultant risks include not having access to needed materials and products, delayed delivery times, and the poor quality of some imported products.  These problems are becoming more noteworthy given the fragility of the nation’s aging infrastructure.