Salt Lake City — At the second annual 47G Zero Gravity Summit, held November 4–5 at the Salt Palace Convention Center, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley delivered a compelling keynote address on America’s role in global security and defending national interests. The event gathered leaders across aerospace, defense, energy, and technology sectors to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of national security innovation.
Holding Russia Accountable and Monitoring China’s Moves
Haley emphasized the critical importance of addressing the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and its broader implications, particularly concerning China’s posture toward Taiwan. She stressed the need to hold Russian President Vladimir Putin accountable and expressed support for providing Ukraine with the military resources necessary to “finish the job.” Haley highlighted that Chinese President Xi Jinping is closely observing the conflict, viewing Ukraine as analogous to Taiwan in terms of regional influence and geopolitical stakes.
“If Ukraine stands strong, China is watching that,” Haley noted, underscoring the strategic link between Eastern Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.
She also referenced Taiwan’s significant reduction of business ties with China—down 97%—as a remarkable development signaling rising geopolitical tensions.
Advocating for U.S. Reshoring and Energy Infrastructure
Beyond geopolitics, Haley advocated for revitalizing American manufacturing, stressing that “reshoring” is a patriotic duty critical to national security. She identified loosening China’s control over rare earth minerals as essential, alongside boosting microchip production and strengthening energy infrastructure.
Utah’s emerging role in this effort was spotlighted through Governor Spencer Cox’s recent advocacy for the state’s mining potential and the 2022 opening of Texas Instruments’ multibillion-dollar microchip facility in Lehi.
“It’s as much about keeping Chinese research and innovation out as it is about what we produce,” Haley remarked, calling for cracking down on intellectual property theft.
Modernizing the Power Grid for Future Technologies
Haley addressed the need to upgrade America’s aging electrical transmission system, noting that 70% of lines are nearing the end of their typical lifecycle. Highlighting the vital role of nuclear energy and private sector innovation, she praised small modular reactors (SMRs) as a promising technology for modernizing the grid efficiently.
“The private sector can do this faster, cheaper, and better,” she said. “Every state and the whole country needs to pay attention.”
Advancing Utah’s Aerospace and Defense Leadership
The 47G Summit underscored Utah’s rapid rise as a national hub for aerospace and defense innovation, with $6.1 billion in annual Department of Defense contracts fueling a vibrant ecosystem. Haley’s remarks aligned with the summit’s broader themes of technology-driven security and resilience, emphasizing how dual-use technologies strengthen both military capabilities and civilian industries.
