The US should develop trade ties with African countries to reduce dependence on China for critical minerals and strengthen national security, the United States Institute of Peace, a Washington-based think tank, said in a new report.
The report noted that the US is now heavily dependent on imports of critical minerals such as cobalt, graphite, and manganese.
"Especially concerning is that the United States is at or near 100 percent reliant on 'foreign entities of concern'—mainly the People’s Republic of China—for key critical minerals," the think tank said. "It’s common sense not to be overly reliant on one supplier, especially a top economic and geopolitical competitor, for any commodity or product."
In this vein, the US Institute of Peace has identified Africa as a continent that "can play an important role in strengthening the security of the US critical minerals supply chain."
"If the United States wants to remain competitive on the global stage, it must step up its efforts to diversify US critical minerals supply chains, including in Africa," the report said.
The Institute also admitted that "China is outpacing the US in terms of resources and political attention to Africa."
The think tank stressed that the list of US economic competitors in Africa is growing, with the Gulf States and other countries increasing their interest in Africa's key minerals.
Top US priorities in Africa should be increased cooperation with Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the top largest copper producers, according to the US Institute of Peace.
Last month, Wally Adeyemo, the US Deputy Treasury Secretary, told the media that in a bid to reduce reliance on Chinese dominance and mitigate Russian influence in critical mineral markets, Washington is eyeing Africa as a key player.