Campbell: The US must do more to compete with China

2024-07-31 20:56:37, Kosova & Bota CNA

US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said the United States must do more to compete with China in both the discovery of rare minerals, the construction of military bases in Africa and the production of more ships and submarines.

Speaking at a Senate Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Mr. Campbell called China "a defining geopolitical challenge facing American diplomacy."

"We need to do more and we need to compete with the Chinese actions, not only in terms of their strategy with the bases, but also their targeting of rare minerals in Africa, which will be of fundamental importance to our capabilities industrial and technological" , he said.

Mr. Campbell added that American diplomats are faced with the global challenge posed by China in the economy, defense, information and human rights.

Co-party desire in Congress

Lawmakers from both sides of the political spectrum who attended the hearing agreed with that assessment and said they want to challenge China's influence.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida expressed concern that China is "the world's leading shipbuilder" and "the undisputed king of basic industrial production."

Mr. Campbell agreed with the senator, adding that the difference between the two countries is "extremely disturbing" and that the United States "needs to show more results" in this area.

He said that the US submarine building program should be given more attention.

Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the United States should give African states an alternative to China's influence.

"To respond to these challenges, the United States should not only invest in the military, but also through diplomatic and economic development tools ," stated Senator Cardin.

Technology and important rare minerals now being widely used, ranging from semiconductor microprocessors to electric car batteries, drew particular interest during the session, given China's dominance.

In 2022, China was the main source from which the United States imports about 70 percent of rare earth minerals, according to the US Geological Survey. China is the world's largest supplier of such minerals.

"If you look at the list of the 40 ores and minerals that are essential for the production of batteries and semiconductors, the supply of most of them is now controlled by China," said Mr. Campbell. He emphasized that while the United States was initially in an unenviable position, it has now signed agreements on these minerals with Japan and Australia.

Mr. Campbell said the Lobito Corridor project in Africa — a rail line running through mineral-rich Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to Angola's Atlantic ports — will help meet the United States' needs with these minerals.

The commission examines relations with Africa

Increasing diplomatic relations with Africa was the focus of the hearing.

Mr Campbell said he has visited Africa twice since taking office in February and is planning a third visit. He said that there are currently 14 appointments of ambassadors to the African continent that are awaiting Senate approval.

Some senators emphasized the need for increasing the American diplomatic presence and filling the empty positions with ambassadors, especially within this continent.

Official Campbell said the absence of US ambassadors in key countries is "shameful" and "contrary to American strategic interests".

During the session, the lawmakers also talked about the need for American engagement in international projects for infrastructural development, continued support for Ukraine against Russia's war and the need to fight misinformation and media manipulation in third countries./ VOA