SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This meeting is being held under the provisions of 5 United States Code (U.S.C.) chapter 10 of (commonly known as the “Federal Advisory Committee Act” or “FACA”); 5 U.S.C. 552b (commonly known as the “Government in the Sunshine Act”); and 41 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 102-3.140 and 102-3.150. Due to circumstances beyond the control of the (DFO, the DPB was unable to provide public notification required by 41 CFR part 102-3.150(a) concerning its October 20-21, 2026, meeting. Accordingly, the Advisory Committee Management Officer for the Department of War (DoW), pursuant to 41 CFR part 102-3.150(b), waives the seven-calendar day notification requirement.

Purpose of the Meeting: To obtain, review, and evaluate classified information related to the DPB's mission to assess the defense implications of various trade and economic policy issues as they relate to the DoW, including on: (a) How the DoW can best support and integrate with the Administration's trade and international economic strategy; (b) supercharging our Defense Industrial Base; (c) increasing burden-sharing with allies and partners; and (d) the potential effects and strategic implications of “China Shock 2.0.”

Agenda: On October 20 and 21, 2026, the DPB will receive classified briefings to assess the defense implications of various trade and economic policy issues as they relate to DoW strategic planning and other national security policy issues.

• Dr. James Benkowski, DPB DFO, will provide opening remarks; HON Elbridge Colby, Under Secretary of War for Policy (USW(P)), and AMB Robert Lighthizer, DPB Chair, will welcome the DPB and provide an overview of the meeting's purpose and its key objectives focused on the implications of various trade and economic policy issues. Subject matter experts from the USW (P) and the Office of the General Counsel will provide training on security and ethics, respectively, in an administrative session.
• Mr. James Ruocco, Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of War for Acquisition, will explain the DoW's approach to acquisition reform and supercharging the Defense Industrial Base in alignment with President Trump and Secretary Hegseth's guidance; and identify key issues for the DPB's consideration and action.
• Ambassador Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative, and HON Elbridge Colby, USW(P), will discuss ways that DoW strategic planning can best support and integrate with the Administration's trade and international economic strategy.
• Mr. Tom Sisk, Defense Intelligence Officer for China, will provide an intelligence update regarding Chinese perceptions on U.S. trade and economic policy as well as how potential responses to “China Shock 2.0” may influence the People's Republic of China calculus and behavior.
• AMB Robert Lighthizer will lead the DPB in drawing on its own expertise and experience to discuss key challenges and opportunities regarding the Administration's trade and economic strategy, and to deliberate in order to develop advice and recommendations for the Secretary of ( printed page 66319) War and the Deputy Secretary of War through the USW(P).
• Mr. David Copley, Senior Director, National Security Council, will lead a discussion with DPB members to better understand the administration's approach to securing supply chains and critical minerals.
• AMB Robert Lighthizer will again lead the DPB in drawing on its own expertise and experience to discuss key challenges and opportunities regarding the Administration's trade and economic strategy, and to deliberate in order to develop advice and recommendations for the Secretary of War and the Deputy Secretary of War through the USW(P).
• The DPB will then provide advice and recommendations to HON Elbridge Colby, USW(P).

Meeting Accessibility: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 1009(d) and 41 CFR part 102-3.155, the DoW has determined that this meeting shall be closed to the public. The USW(P), in consultation with the DoW FACA Attorney, has determined in writing that this meeting is closed to the public because the discussions fall under the purview of 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(1) and are so inextricably intertwined with unclassified material that they cannot reasonably be segregated into separate discussions without disclosing classified material.

Written Statements: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 1009(a)(3) and 41 CFR parts 102-3.140(c) and 102-3.150(6) the public or interested organizations may submit written statements to the membership of the DPB at any time regarding its mission or in response to the stated agenda of a planned meeting. Written statements should be submitted to the DPB's DFO, who's information is listed above in this notice in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section or can be obtained from the General Services Administration (GSA) FACA Database— www.facadatabase.gov/​. Written statements that do not pertain to a scheduled meeting of the DPB may be submitted at any time. However, if individual comments pertain to a specific topic being discussed at a planned meeting, then these statements must be submitted no later than one business day prior to the meeting in question in order for the DPB to consider the statement prior to or during the meeting. The DFO will review all submitted written statements and provide copies to all DPB members. Please note that all submitted comments and statements will be treated as public documents and will be made available for public inspection.

91 FR 66318