Ram Charan

Convergence must focus on the industries where China holds choke-hold power and where the free world must rebuild capacity.

This includes the 10 industries China has explicitly targeted in its Made in China 2025 plan--EVs, renewables, biopharma, aerospace, AI, robotics, maritime equipment, advanced rail, new materials and advanced agriculture. But it also extends to industries critical to national security and defense, raw materials and critical minerals, and sectors where China has already used the 90 Percent Model to achieve dangerous dominance.

To understand how convergence operates in practice, consider industries that span this full range. From China’s offensive targets to existing choke points to America’s defensive advantages:

1. Automobiles: China dominates EVs and is using the 90 Percent Model to flood global markets. The American Sphere must rebuild automotive supply chains, battery production, and charging infrastructure within its borders.

2. Semiconductors: China cannot build an end to end chip capability without Taiwan’s TSMC, the Netherland’s ASML, and US-based Applied Materials. This trio represents generations of IP, tools, and scientific insight. If these three coordinate, they can shut China out for decades. But coordination is the key.

3. Critical Minerals: China controls rare earths, lithium, graphite, and processing capacity. The American Sphere must secure alternative sources from Canada, Greenland, Latin America, Australia, and build refining facilities at home. At the same time, China’s processing of these materials depends on inputs controlled by the American Sphere--specialty chemicals, precision equipment, and advanced refining technologies. These reverse choke points can disrupt China’s mineral processing and manufacturing supply chains.

4. Pharmaceuticals: China produces the majority of the world’s active pharmaceutical ingredients. The American Sphere must rebuild production capacity for essential medicines, especially antibiotics, antivirals and cancer treatments.