Top NATO official calls on business leaders to prepare for 'wartime scenario'

SUMMARY

NATO’s top military official, Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer, stressed the importance of businesses adapting to 'wartime scenarios' to bolster national security and resilience. Speaking in Brussels at the European Policy Centre, Bauer urged companies to reconfigure production and supply chains to mitigate vulnerabilities from foreign dependencies, particularly on Russia and China. Bauer highlighted Europe’s reliance on Chinese rare earth materials, which account for 60% of global production and 90% of processing, alongside critical pharmaceutical components. He warned that the Chinese government could exploit these dependencies strategically, just as Russia has influenced energy supplies. "Commercial decisions have strategic consequences," Bauer stated, urging businesses to consider the national security implications of their operations. He stressed that while the military fights battles, economic strength determines the outcome of wars.