A panel discussion in Washington on Tuesday focused on a growing concern among policymakers: the extent to which the United States is competing with China across energy systems and global supply chains.
The conversation, held during a “Daily Caller Live” event presented by the American Chemistry Council, brought together Rep. Beth Van Duyne of Texas, energy policy analyst Gabriella Hoffman, and China strategist Emily de La Bruyere.
The message from the panel was direct. China’s influence, they argued, is not primarily about immediate military confrontation but about long-term control over production and distribution networks. That control, they said, affects everything from raw materials to finished goods.
Van Duyne pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as a clear example of U.S. dependence on Chinese manufacturing. Shortages in pharmaceuticals, electronics, and automotive components exposed how much of the supply chain runs through China. She argued that certain U.S. policy decisions in recent years, particularly those tied to renewable energy mandates, increased reliance on Chinese manufacturing, especially in solar production.
De La Bruyere expanded the focus beyond individual industries. She described China’s strategy as centered on dominating value chains—controlling how goods are produced, moved, and sold.
According to her analysis, this approach allows China to exert influence over markets and economic systems without direct confrontation. She emphasized that the challenge is structural and broader than commonly understood.
At the same time, she argued the United States retains the ability to compete, particularly if domestic markets remain open and responsive while also accounting for state-driven economic behavior from China. However, she cautioned that the scale of the challenge is often underestimated in public discussions.
Hoffman addressed the energy dimension, highlighting concerns about relying on technologies manufactured in China while the country continues to depend heavily on coal. She contrasted that with U.S. policy debates over reducing fossil fuel use, arguing that energy independence remains a key factor in economic and national security.
The discussion remained focused on supply chain resilience, energy sourcing, and industrial policy. Each speaker approached the issue from a different angle, but the central argument was consistent: competition with China is already underway, and it is playing out through economic systems rather than direct conflict.
