As the U.S. continues to struggle with product availability and cargo flow, President Biden announced actions to boost supply chain resiliency at the G20 Summit in Rome Oct. 31, according to www.constructiondive.com.
An executive order allows the Department of Defense to release supplies, equipment and raw materials from the National Defense Stockpile to more quickly respond to industrial shortfalls. Separately, the State Department will allot more funding to help counterparts in Mexico and Central America handle supply chain disruptions and reduce port delays.
Biden also said the U.S. will host a forum on supply chain disruptions with world leaders, businesses and other stakeholders in 2022 to help “chart a path forward” from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The announcements follow a series of actions by the Biden administration intended to address weaknesses in the U.S. supply chain. At the start of the administration, Biden ordered a review of supply chain issues and appointed a “port envoy” to help fix some logistics issues. He also traveled to Southern California in October to announce expanded port hours meant to improve slow cargo flow into the U.S.
