Even as the United States and its allies work to diversify their supply chains to avoid over-dependence on geopolitical competitors, they are in simultaneous cooperation and competition with one another. In some areas, such as fossil fuels, the United States and its allies have complementary resources and needs. In others, like electric vehicles, U.S. and allied manufacturers compete with one another and with China. Indeed, some European allies complain that the United States has been too competitive in sourcing critical minerals for high-tech industries. The session will explore opportunities for deeper cooperation with U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific region in energy and energy-related technologies, including electric vehicles and batteries, as well as underlying tensions.

On September 17, the Center for the National Interest and Energy Innovation Reform Project hosted two experts in a panel discussion on these issues and more:

—Younkyoo Kim, Dean, School of International Studies, Hanyang University (Seoul), Director, Hanyang Institute for Energy & the Environment, and author of two recent books on electric vehicles, batteries, and critical minerals.

—Jane Nakano, Senior Fellow, Energy Security and Climate Change Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies, a former Department of Energy official, and author of several reports on energy, clean energy, and geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific region.

Paul Saunders, President of the Center for the National Interest and a Senior Advisor at the Energy Innovation Reform Project, moderated the discussion.

Image: IM Imagery / Shutterstock.com.