US and China vie for mineral resources in Africa's heartland
The threat of a major tariff war could shatter the world order, with the rest of the world as a witness. There is no doubt that the US agenda continues to expand, now adding another concern to its list, the African continent, as its interests could be threatened by the Asian giant, China.
Tariff wars
In early April, the world economy was hit by the ‘global tariff’ imposed by US President Donald Trump. However, the international spotlight was focused on the Asian continent, specifically on China, which stood out for having the highest tariff: no less than 34%.
China's reaction was swift, as it immediately slapped a 34% import tariff on all US goods. This set off a game of ping-pong, with both countries continually raising their opponent's tariff rate, making use of their ‘smart power’, no doubt.
In the end, figures of 125% were reached by both countries. However, on 23 April, Donald Trump announced a reduction in tariffs towards China.
The M23
The two world trade powers now at loggerheads in the tariff war have also been playing another game for some time, with the African continent as the chessboard. Since 2012, peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been affected by the emergence of the M23, which formed in response to political, ethnic and military conflicts in the country, and which has managed to take control of several cities. In addition, for several months now, neighbouring Rwanda, through its armed forces, has decided to support the group, motivated by interests such as territorial occupation and access to mining areas. In response, the DRC government requested US support to stabilise the east of the country in exchange for access to essential mineral resources such as coltan and cobalt.
This could undoubtedly be a blow to China, as its interests could be threatened. Today, Congo holds more than 70 per cent of the world's cobalt reserves, an essential mineral for industrial machinery as well as for the manufacture of rechargeable batteries used in electronic devices and electric vehicles.
China is currently one of the country's biggest partners and the world's leading consumer of cobalt. The entry of its companies into Congolese territory over the past two decades has provided competition for Western countries. However, this new agreement between Washington and the DRC could limit the DRC's economic dependence on China.
Rwanda-DRC peace
Finally, a few days ago, the governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda signed a declaration in Washington in which they agreed to work together to draw up a peace agreement by 2 May. They also pledged to respect each other's sovereignty and to cease all military support to armed groups.
This agreement not only brings peace between the parties, but could also be the possible condemnation of China's influence in the heart of Africa, whose response to this issue is still pending.
To be sure, this war over key resources is not a recent development. For years now, the Global North, specifically the United States, and China have been in constant competition, fighting to lead the global market and market products made from Congolese minerals, regardless of the conditions under which those minerals are extracted.
