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American auto manufacturers are preparing to shut down production lines. Defense manufacturers may not be far behind. The tit-for-tat tariff escalation between the United States and China dominated headlines throughout March and April, but the real escalation happened quietly. On April 4, Beijing restricted exports of seven rare earth elements and rare earth permanent magnets — key components in everything from automatic transmissions to missiles.
China’s influence in sub-Saharan Africa is allegedly closely coordinated, and effective, if not unstoppable. The Chinese government seeks to dominate the supply of critical minerals, gain political influence, and undermine the West using state subsidies, low wages, state-party-enterprise coordination, and disregard for legalities to secure access. China gives African states money and infrastructure in exchange for resources and influence.
Zambia’s Copperbelt province is a microcosm of foreign investment on the continent. Fly into Lusaka and marvel at the capital’s strikingly modern airport. Drive into town along a road as smooth as any American highway. Look left and notice a large white hospital complex. Glance right only a few minutes later to see the city’s impressive conference center with a “Golden Chopsticks” restaurant next door. The next morning, you fly north to Ndola’s clean, glass-and-steel airport.
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