Inside Americas new energy diplomacy effort in Africa

Published: Sept. 28, 2023, 9 a.m.

The Biden administration has been meeting with officials and companies in Africa to shore up the United States\u2019 supply of the critical minerals needed for the clean energy transition while simultaneously diminishing China\u2019s mining dominance in the region. POLITICO\u2019s Ben Lefebvre breaks down why the administration is focusing on Africa along with the pushback from Republicans and advocates for U.S. mining. Plus, Republican committee chairs are threatening Ford with a congressional subpoena over its partnership to license Chinese battery technology.\n\nFor more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch\n\nAnd for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy\n\n\nCatherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.\nBen Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO. \nNirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. \nKara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.\nGloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO. \nMatt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.