What do smartphones, batteries, defense systems, and solar panels all have in common?
They all depend on critical minerals like lithium, graphite, gallium, and polysilicon. Access to these resources affects how people, businesses, and governments communicate, generate power, and defend a country.
In this episode, Chris sits down with Representative Haley Stevens from Michigan’s 11th district to discuss her plans for lessening U.S. dependence on the production and refining of these resources from other countries.
The conversation digs into the current state of the U.S. supply chain. We look at how innovation shaped the auto rescue during the 2008 recession, and how it will continue to influence the success of the American auto industry over the next 25 years.
We also unpack why Representative Stevens is passionate about the manufacturing industry, how it continues to shape her career, and the type of legislation changes you can expect from her 100-page proposal.
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3 Quick Things from this Episode
- America relies too heavily on other countries for processing critical minerals, semiconductors, and a lot of the technology we use every day. Cars, defense systems, smartphones, and even energy storage all depend on it. By bringing extraction, processing, and recycling back to U.S. soil, it strengthens the supply chain, lowers costs, and creates more jobs.
- The real challenge for manufacturers who want to move first and stay ahead is the barrier to entry. We need policymakers to help get rid of the red tape, address skill gaps, and clear the roadblocks that would make innovation spread more quickly.
- The auto rescue saved roughly 200,000 Michigan jobs because manufacturing is an ecosystem. Keeping big automakers alive kept thousands of mid-sized to small-sized suppliers alive, too. When we support and protect those businesses, innovation happens, people stay employed, and the whole system benefits.
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Tweetable Quotes
- ”Somewhere between 85 and 95% of critical minerals are processed and refined in China. It’s a supply chain vulnerability.”
- “We need to lessen our dependence on China, invest in loan guarantees and tax credits that will grow this industry here in the United States of America.”
- “Not having the original sourcing capabilities is a problem for the United States, and we can’t be left holding the bag”.
- “Who will continue to lead the free world in the next 25 years? Well, it’s going to be American industry through free market principles that allow for equal opportunity and people to thrive.”
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What We Discuss with Representative Stevens
- How the auto rescue saved 200,000 Michigan jobs
- The impact of the manufacturing industry on Haley’s career in Congress
- How barriers to entry are costing the manufacturing industry room to innovate
- Why it’s important to bring the entire supply chain back to the U.S.
- How Representative Stevens plans to lessen U.S. dependence on other countries for critical minerals
- What needs to change from a federal level to fix supply chain vulnerabilities, lower costs, and create jobs
- How environmental concerns fit into legislation plans
- The importance of a tax code that empowers manufacturing workers and small businesses
Recommended Resources
- Representative Haley Stevens, Congresswoman for Michigan’s 11th District.
- Kennedy’s Irish Pub, a longstanding Irish pub serving up draft brews, cocktails, and casual eats in a funky, upbeat atmosphere in Waterford, MI.
Connect with Representative Stevens
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