The United States wants to build a new global critical minerals supply chain through a new alliance that aims to stabilize prices and reduce dependence on China. Africa sits at the center of this shift, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where geopolitics is increasingly shaping mining deals and partnerships.

CGSP Africa Editor Géraud Neema joins Eric & Cobus to break down the U.S. proposal and why China's dominance in refining and processing remains a major constraint, raising doubts about whether a minerals strategy focused mainly on extraction can succeed.

📌 Topics covered in this episode:

Washington's push to build a China-free critical minerals alliance
JD Vance's proposal for price floors and a minerals trading bloc
What US stockpiling plans mean for global supply chains
How Africa fits into the US critical minerals strategy and security goals
The DRC's pivot toward Washington and the impact on Chinese miners
Why refining and processing remain China's biggest advantage
The risk of a fragmented global minerals market and hardened blocs
What a new critical minerals cold war means for the Global South

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U.S. Pushes New Critical Minerals Bloc to Counter China

The China in Africa Podcast