DID Press: Former US Special Representative for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, has warned that the United States remains dependent on China for the supply of certain essential medicines and called for an urgent strategy to reduce this reliance.
In a statement, Khalilzad said the U.S. continues to depend on China for key pharmaceutical products, including antibiotics. He noted that this issue was widely discussed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when concerns about supply chain vulnerability became more prominent.
He added that although some progress has been made in recent years, the United States remains exposed to potential disruptions in the supply of critical medicines.
Khalilzad also raised concerns about what he described as a “catastrophic scenario,” suggesting that the possibility of a biological attack combined with restrictions on access to essential drugs cannot be entirely ruled out. He described such a risk as “unacceptable” and urged the development of a comprehensive national response plan.
The remarks come amid growing global concerns over supply chain security and intensifying strategic competition between the United States and China.