Hearing Addresses China's Control Over Critical Minerals and US-Africa Supply Chain Partnerships
July 30, 2025 | Foreign Relations: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation
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In a pivotal meeting of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, the urgent need for America to strengthen its partnerships with African nations regarding critical minerals took center stage. As discussions unfolded, the stark reality of China's dominance in this sector loomed large, revealing both challenges and opportunities for the United States.
The hearing highlighted how China has systematically positioned itself as a leader in Africa's critical mineral market, pouring billions into its Belt and Road Initiative. This strategy has allowed China to secure mining rights in resource-rich countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, effectively controlling over 70% of the world's cobalt and a significant share of rare earth processing. Such dominance poses a serious national security threat to the United States, as the economy, energy transition, and defense supply chains increasingly rely on minerals processed by the Chinese Communist Party.
Senators emphasized the importance of onshoring critical mineral supply chains while simultaneously seeking reliable partnerships abroad, particularly in Africa. Initiatives in states like Texas aim to ensure that the entire mineral supply chain—from mining to manufacturing—remains within the United States. However, the urgency of the situation calls for a dual approach: fostering American business opportunities in Africa while reshaping U.S.-Africa relations from a model based on aid to one focused on investment.
One promising avenue discussed was the Lobito Corridor, a strategic alternative to China's Belt and Road, which could facilitate access to vital resources while promoting regional stability. The meeting underscored that tensions over mineral-rich regions in the DRC and Rwanda have historically fueled instability, but recent peace agreements and economic integration frameworks present a unique opportunity for collaboration.
As the hearing concluded, the message was clear: if the United States does not act swiftly to secure its interests in Africa, it risks being sidelined by China entirely. The stakes are high, and the path forward requires a concerted effort to build lasting partnerships that not only benefit American businesses but also contribute to a more stable and secure future for both the U.S. and African nations.
The hearing highlighted how China has systematically positioned itself as a leader in Africa's critical mineral market, pouring billions into its Belt and Road Initiative. This strategy has allowed China to secure mining rights in resource-rich countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, effectively controlling over 70% of the world's cobalt and a significant share of rare earth processing. Such dominance poses a serious national security threat to the United States, as the economy, energy transition, and defense supply chains increasingly rely on minerals processed by the Chinese Communist Party.
Senators emphasized the importance of onshoring critical mineral supply chains while simultaneously seeking reliable partnerships abroad, particularly in Africa. Initiatives in states like Texas aim to ensure that the entire mineral supply chain—from mining to manufacturing—remains within the United States. However, the urgency of the situation calls for a dual approach: fostering American business opportunities in Africa while reshaping U.S.-Africa relations from a model based on aid to one focused on investment.
One promising avenue discussed was the Lobito Corridor, a strategic alternative to China's Belt and Road, which could facilitate access to vital resources while promoting regional stability. The meeting underscored that tensions over mineral-rich regions in the DRC and Rwanda have historically fueled instability, but recent peace agreements and economic integration frameworks present a unique opportunity for collaboration.
As the hearing concluded, the message was clear: if the United States does not act swiftly to secure its interests in Africa, it risks being sidelined by China entirely. The stakes are high, and the path forward requires a concerted effort to build lasting partnerships that not only benefit American businesses but also contribute to a more stable and secure future for both the U.S. and African nations.
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