Trump orders tightening of defense supply chain waiver rules

The order comes as the Pentagon pushes defense contractors like Lockheed Martin LMT.N and Boeing BA.N to rapidly expand weapons production while facing persistent vulnerabilities in the supply chains that feed the U.S. military.

Many critical minerals and processed materials used in missiles, aircraft and other advanced systems still rely on Chinese suppliers, leaving companies caught between demands to move away from Beijing and the need to keep weapons flowing to U.S. forces and allies.

Beyond tightening waiver requirements, the executive order directs the Pentagon to come up with rules that require contractors to map critical defense supply chains from raw materials through finished military products.

Companies will be required to identify the origins of minerals, components, software and other inputs used in designated weapons systems, extending government visibility beyond prime contractors to lower-tier suppliers.

"This is not paperwork. It is battlefield preparation," Navarro said, arguing the Pentagon needs to know whether missile systems or other military platforms depend on foreign-controlled suppliers before a conflict begins.