U.S.-China Competition for Africa’s Critical Resources
A former U.S. ambassador to several African countries considers whether it’s even possible for the U.S. to rival China’s critical mineral supply chain.
China maintains a massive lead over the U.S. and other G7 countries in both mining and refining capacity in Africa, a key vulnerability that policymakers in the U.S., Europe, and elsewhere say they’re determined to rectify.
A new report from the United States Institute of Peace lays out a roadmap for how the U.S. can close that gap with China to achieve mineral security while protecting local labor and environmental standards.
Terence McCulley, a senior visiting expert for West Africa at USIP and a former U.S. ambassador to several African countries, joins Eric, Cobus & Geraud to discuss the new report and whether he thinks it’s even possible for the U.S. to rival China’s critical mineral supply chain.
For a full transcript of this podcast, please see The China-Global South Project website.
Show Notes:
United States Institute of Peace: Critical Minerals in Africa: Strengthening Security, Supporting Development, and Reducing Conflict amid Geopolitical Competition
Reuters: West challenges China’s critical minerals hold on Africa by Andy Home
South China Morning Post: China-US battle for African influence shifts to green critical minerals by Jevans Nyabiage
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