Coercive Capital with Elaine Dezenski

Unplugging Beijing: How to Reclaim America’s Battery Supply Chain

Episode Summary

How did the Chinese Communist Party build near-total control over the world’s most critical battery inputs? And how can the U.S. respond before it’s too late? Josh Birenbaum of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) joins Elaine Dezenski on Coercive Capital to discuss their new report which breaks down the CCP’s strategic capture of the global battery supply chain—and outline what it will take for the United States to regain control. Based on FDD’s July 2025 report, “Unplugging Beijing,” this episode offers a practical, urgent blueprint for restoring American battery independence. Topics include: How China cornered the lithium, nickel, and graphite markets The role of state-backed firms in Beijing’s battery dominance Why market solutions alone won’t solve the problem What U.S. policymakers must do now—and who’s already behind Hosted by Elaine Dezenski. New episodes weekly on Coercive Capital.

Episode Notes

How did the Chinese Communist Party build near-total control over the world’s most critical battery inputs? And how can the U.S. respond before it’s too late?

Josh Birenbaum of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) joins Elaine Dezenski on Coercive Capital to discuss their new report which breaks down the CCP’s strategic capture of the global battery supply chain—and outline what it will take for the United States to regain control.

Based on FDD’s July 2025 report, “Unplugging Beijing,” this episode offers a practical, urgent blueprint for restoring American battery independence.

 

Topics include:

How China cornered the lithium, nickel, and graphite markets

The role of state-backed firms in Beijing’s battery dominance

Why market solutions alone won’t solve the problem

What U.S. policymakers must do now—and who’s already behind

 

Hosted by Elaine Dezenski.

New episodes weekly on Coercive Capital.