NATO Admiral Warns of Economic Risks from Russia, China

Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer, chair of NATO's military committee, has urged Western businesses to prepare for a 'wartime scenario' by reducing reliance on China and Russia, which could exploit dependencies in a conflict. He highlighted the risks of being economically tied to these nations, citing the Gazprom energy deal manipulated by Russia and the West's reliance on Chinese-produced critical materials. Bauer emphasized that economic resilience is key to deterrence and winning wars, urging companies to secure their supply chains. This warning aligns with President-elect Donald Trump's 'America First' agenda, which proposes high tariffs on Chinese imports to bolster domestic industries. Bauer's call for preparation comes amid rising geopolitical tensions and acts of sabotage, particularly in energy sectors. He also stressed the importance of continued support for Ukraine against Russian aggression to prevent emboldening adversarial powers.