Washington, United States — The United States has begun signing long-term mineral offtake contracts and offering state-backed loans to African copper and cobalt producers, a move officials say is meant to loosen China’s grip on the global supply of the 50 minerals Washington classifies as critical.
According to local reports, the policy switch started within the past week. Government statements indicate the Export-Import Bank and the U.
S.
International Development Finance Corporation are now cleared to finance mines and refineries in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Guinea, with repayment secured by future shipments rather than cash.
The change marks a step beyond the Trump administration’s earlier focus on diplomatic partnerships, and follows a memorandum on minerals-for-co-operation signed with Kinshasa last Friday.
Officials have not disclosed dollar amounts or named specific projects, but independent observers say the offer mirrors the debt — and-infrastructure packages Chinese state firms have used since 2015. Local sources report that U.
S.
Delegations this month presented Congolese authorities with draft supply contracts running ten years or more, while Zambian authorities were told Washington could underwrite new cobalt smelters on condition that no Chinese equity is involved.
The government stated in a communiqué that the goal is “to diversify global supply chains and give African partners market-based alternatives. ” Chinese embassy representatives in Pretoria responded that “America’s sudden generosity comes with governance clauses that appear only when cobalt is needed.
” Civil-society monitors in the SADC region say neither side has yet guaranteed a larger share of refining profits for African operators.
The U. S.
Is also seeking to formalise a critical — minerals trading bloc with the European Union, Japan, South Korea and Australia that would commit members to pay above-market prices for African feedstock shipped outside China.
Officials have not confirmed when negotiations will conclude, and further details are expected.
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Source: Africa.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
