US-China Rivalry Intensifies in Africa: Trade Deals, Critical Minerals, and Strategic Corridors

The Trump administration has facilitated 37 commercial deals worth $25.67 billion in Africa as part of a 'commercial diplomacy' strategy emphasizing trade over aid, according to Assistant Secretary of State Frank Garcia. This push directly counters China's expanding economic and security influence on the continent. China-Africa two-way goods trade reached approximately $348 billion in 2025, with Chinese exports at $225 billion and imports from Africa at $123 billion, per Chinese customs data and analyses from the China-Global South Project and NTU-SBF Centre for African Studies. In contrast, US goods trade with Africa stood at around $83 billion. US efforts include support for the Lobito Corridor to link Congolese and Zambian copper belts to Angola's Atlantic port, aiming to diversify supply chains for critical minerals away from Chinese dominance. AFRICOM's 2026 posture statement highlights Beijing's use of mining, infrastructure, and transport investments to secure these resources, noting China's control of 90% of battery-grade graphite processing as a 'structural vulnerability' for the US defense base. USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 reports place China at roughly 79-82% of global natural graphite production, alongside dominant shares in gallium, tungsten, and rare earths. Chinese automaker Chery inaugurated the former Nissan plant in Rosslyn, South Africa, in July 2026, with production slated for mid-2027, exemplifying Beijing's shift toward local manufacturing. US-backed initiatives seek to build alternatives amid reports of Chinese import competition impacting African manufacturers and occasional local resistance to projects. This competition underscores broader geopolitical stakes in Africa's resources and markets.