AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Two researchers at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, in an analysis titled "China's Shock Is Coming to Africa," warned that the United States must act before China to shape the rules of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This analysis was published just three days after a report by the U.S. Congressional Research Service on China-Africa relations in Sub-Saharan Africa and Washington's policy toward the region.
According to this publication, Washington's concern is not without reason; China-Africa trade has grown significantly in recent years, and according to data, the volume of bilateral trade between Beijing and the continent reached about 1.41 trillion yuan, equivalent to about $208 billion, by late July. The Beijing government also implemented a zero-tariff policy for all African countries with diplomatic relations with China since early May this year.
Washington has emphasized the expansion of financial and investment tools, including a new strategic investment program with Africa, but if the main goal is to push China out of African markets, the United States may fall into the trap of the same approach that has shaped a significant part of its foreign policy in recent years. Many African governments are trying to use the competition of great powers to advance their development goals, rather than necessarily choosing between Washington and Beijing.
One of the reasons for the consolidation of China's presence in Africa is Beijing's significant focus on tangible infrastructure projects, from ports and railways to power plants and other transportation and energy projects. This approach has meant that Beijing's relations with many African countries are not limited to trade but have also taken root in the physical infrastructure and economic capacities of these countries. For this reason, even an increase in U.S. investment will not necessarily mean China's withdrawal.
Challenges Facing the United States in Africa
If the United States in this process seeks to create greater access to its markets, finance development, transfer technology, and provide technical cooperation, and African countries also have a real role in determining the rules of this cooperation, Washington's presence can be beneficial for the continent. But if the main goal is to prevent China's influence and maintain U.S. superiority, Africa's development will become a secondary goal, and geopolitical competition will prevail over the economic needs of the continent's countries.
According to the Global Times, Africa cannot merely become another arena for great power competition. The countries of this continent are trying to industrialize, develop regional trade, and create independent economic capacities, and it is natural that they want to use cooperation with all foreign partners to achieve these goals.
From this perspective, "China's shock" is more a test of U.S. foreign policy than merely a warning about Beijing's economic power. Washington must decide whether it wants to merely compete with China in Africa or can offer a proposal that, even without considering competition with Beijing, would be valuable to African countries.
Ultimately, Africa's economic future should not be determined by the question of "who will win Africa?"; rather, the main criterion should be how much the competition of great powers provides more choices for African governments, workers, and entrepreneurs.
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