View From Washington: What the US Needs to Do to Re-Engage Africa

While the Trump administration has taken a hard line toward Africa through aid cuts, travel bans, and pressure on governments like South Africa, it has also generated more investor excitement in Washington than we've seen in years. Donald Trump's new transactional foreign policy for the continent is prompting newfound enthusiasm from U.S. mining, oil, and security companies. But translating that enthusiasm into actual engagement won't be easy. The majority of U.S. companies taking the first steps into the continent's critical minerals sector, for example, are small, inexperienced, and lag far behind their Chinese competitors. Maureen Farrell, a non-resident senior fellow at The Atlantic Council, is in the midst of co-writing a six-part series of recommendations for U.S. policymakers to bolster U.S. security and economic engagement in Africa. Maureen joins Eric & Géraud to explain why Guinea, Libya, and Mozambique are of particular interest. 📌 Topics Covered in this Episode • U.S.-China competition in Africa • Critical minerals and supply chains • Guinea mining opportunities • Libya geopolitics and energy • Mozambique LNG and security risks • Challenges facing US companies Show Notes: The Atlantic Council: • In Guinea, the US has a rare opportunity to gain an edge over China • by Rose Keravuori and Maureen Farrell The Atlantic Council: • The US is reengaging with Libya—and it's the right call • by Rose Keravuori and Maureen Farrell The Atlantic Council • : In Mozambique, US economic priorities hinge on security investments • by Rose Keravuori and Maureen Farrell Join the Discussion: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @christiangeraud Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social Follow CGSP in French and Spanish: • French: www.projetafriquechine.com • | @AfrikChine • Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com • | @ChinaAmericas Join us on Patreon! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth