In response to growing national security concerns and vulnerabilities related to economic resilience, the U.S. has established a high-level interagency task force focused on modernizing its federal statistical system. This initiative aims to integrate a resilience-oriented approach into foreign and domestic policies, prioritizing critical minerals mapping and the protection of energy infrastructure. The move comes as the nation's defense reserves of rare earth minerals are alarmingly low, with only 60 days' worth available, a situation exacerbated by China's dominance in global supply chains and recent export restrictions. Experts emphasize that without urgent reform of outdated data frameworks, the U.S. risks leaving itself exposed to adversaries amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
