Geopolitics is rewriting the rules of the global economy. Trade, investment, and technology flows are increasingly shaped by security imperatives—not just efficiency or market logic. The long-standing assumption that economic interdependence would foster stability has given way to a more contested landscape defined by strategic competition, selective decoupling, and the growing use of economic tools for national security purposes. In this new environment, trusted supply chains have emerged as a cornerstone of economic security policy for the United States and its allies.
This report explores how that shift is unfolding in practice and what it means for governments and firms operating in strategic and dual-use sectors. Focusing on Australia, Finland, and South Korea, it draws on national policy frameworks, firm-level survey data, and targeted case studies to examine how trusted supply chains are being built—and where implementation challenges persist.
Despite differences in geography, history, and institutional structure, all three countries are converging on a shared priority: strengthening economic resilience and reducing exposure to geopolitical risk. Each is navigating complex relationships with major powers while working to secure critical industrial capabilities and safeguard supply chains in key sectors.
By comparing these cases, the report highlights how trusted supply chains are being operationalized across diverse national contexts. It also provides a closer look at how governments and firms are reinforcing industrial bases in high-tech and dual-use sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI) and drones. Ultimately, the analysis underscores how national strategies, institutional capacity, and partnerships with the United States are shaping different—but increasingly aligned—approaches to securing the technologies and industries that will define the next phase of global competition.
Published Date: May 22, 2026