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The Africa Center works to promote dynamic geopolitical partnerships with African states and to redirect US and European policy priorities toward strengthening security and bolstering economic growth and prosperity on the continent.

The Global Energy Center develops and promotes pragmatic and nonpartisan policy solutions designed to advance global energy security, enhance economic opportunity, and accelerate pathways to net-zero emissions.

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New Atlanticist

Apr 18, 2025

Tariffs can help secure US critical mineral supply chains—if they’re done right

By Reed Blakemore, Alexis Harmon

US tariffs on critical minerals should be precisely targeted and coupled with robust federal support for domestic mining.

Critical Minerals Economy & Business

EnergySource

Apr 15, 2025

Central Asia’s geography inhibits a US critical minerals partnership

By Haley Nelson and Natalia Storz

Central Asia holds vast critical mineral resources, but limited export capacity and complex environmental, geopolitical, and legal risks make large-scale US investment unfeasible. The US should instead focus its efforts on allied nations with established mineral export industries.

Central Asia Critical Minerals

New Atlanticist

Apr 11, 2025

Want to understand the US-China trade war? Start with soybeans and batteries.

By Joseph Webster and Valentina Sader

As Washington and Beijing hit each other with new tariffs, two goods—soybeans and lithium-ion storage batteries—offer a window into the larger trade war.

Brazil China

EnergySource

Apr 3, 2025

Profitability and power: Fixing US critical minerals supply chains

By Ashley Zumwalt-Forbes

The global critical minerals race is well underway, and the American supply chain is behind. To regain momentum, the US must make this industry viable by creating a financial framework that attracts and retains capital.

Critical Minerals Energy & Environment

AfricaSource

Mar 27, 2025

Prioritizing access to critical minerals will require prioritizing Africa

By Benjamin Mossberg

Access to critical minerals is an urgent national security issue. The United States must view investments in African energy, mineral, and mining—key to securing this access—with similar importance.

Africa Critical Minerals

New Atlanticist

Mar 21, 2025

Four critical questions (and expert answers) about Trump’s new critical minerals executive order

By Alexis Harmon, Reed Blakemore

On March 20, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order intended to increase crucial mineral production in the United States. Atlantic Council experts dig into the details.

Critical Minerals Economy & Business

AfricaSource

Mar 21, 2025

In the scramble for Africa’s critical minerals, the West must not abandon the ESG agenda

By Zainab Usman and Rama Yade

As this race for minerals and metals critical for the energy transition heats up, both companies and governments must not abandon environmental, social, and governance principles in Africa.

Africa Critical Minerals

AfricaSource

Mar 20, 2025

If the international community wants to curb fossil fuel emissions, it must make Africa a serious clean energy offer

By Neil Ford

Before the international community asks African countries to leave undeveloped fossil fuel resources in the ground, it must make them an offer of clean energy financing—one substantial enough to fund Africa’s current and future appetite for electricity.

Africa Critical Minerals

Fast Thinking

Feb 26, 2025

Digging into the US-Ukraine minerals deal

By Atlantic Council

Everything you need to know about the reported Trump-Zelenskyy economic pact on Ukraine’s natural resources.

Conflict Critical Minerals

New Atlanticist

Jan 19, 2025

On trade and technology, the US and EU need each other now more than ever

By Trevor Rudolph

Washington and Brussels must collaborate on telecommunications, semiconductors, and critical minerals to compete with nonmarket economies.

Critical Minerals Economy & Business

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