Business advocates within the Democratic party advocate for the revival of a commercial alliance in Africa, a project that dates back to the Obama administration
In a strategic move to counteract China's growing influence on the African continent, US Congress members have revived the Obama-era President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA) [1]. The reestablishment of this business council aims to strengthen US commercial engagement and trade missions in Africa, directly challenging China's dominant economic presence [1][5].
As the US and China vie for economic dominance, the African continent remains in a state of turmoil. At least 263 people have died of starvation in the besieged territory of Gaza, according to Al Jazeera, as a ceasefire proposal similar to one previously agreed to by Israel is reportedly under consideration [2]. The Qatari-Egyptian plan would see the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and would require Israel to allow aid into the region [2].
Meanwhile, China's bilateral trade with Africa reached $280 billion last year, four times that of the US [5]. This economic influence is not limited to trade, with China investing heavily in infrastructure projects across the continent [1].
Elsewhere in the world, droughts and wildfires are causing widespread destruction. Severe droughts have hit countries extending from the Middle East through Europe, leading to water shortages and economic consequences made more frequent and extreme by climate change [10]. In Europe, the continent has seen its most destructive wildfire season in nearly 20 years, with Spain and Portugal being the worst-affected countries [6].
In North America, wildfires have also been a major issue. Central Texas experienced one of the state's worst natural disasters due to floods, while record downpours in Mexico City have caused significant damage [9].
The US and its European allies are trying to hash out what security guarantees for Ukraine will look like, following President Donald Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy [8]. Trump ruled out sending US troops on the ground in Ukraine, but the White House left the door open to air support [7].
In a separate development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at the leaders of Australia and France over their pledges to recognize a Palestinian state [3]. Netanyahu's defense minister also approved a plan for an offensive on Gaza City, which is undermining hopes for a truce there [3].
As the world grapples with these challenges, tech firms are increasingly turning to nuclear as a reliable source of clean energy [4], while investors are chasing "a kernel of truth" but are "overexcited" about AI [4].
In the midst of these global issues, the US and China continue their economic competition in Africa. The US is stepping up its contest with China by focusing on ambassadors' business deals in a new push for commercial diplomacy [11]. As the US and China jostle for position, it remains to be seen how these economic and geopolitical dynamics will play out in the coming months.
References: 1. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-congress-africa-idUSKBN1YG2KO 2. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/10/israel-gaza-ceasefire-truce-hamas-accepts-qatari-egyptian-proposal 3. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-netanyahu-slams-australia-france-over-palestinian-state-pledges-2021-11-11/ 4. https://www.ft.com/content/b40e4e0c-a75d-43e4-869f-7e880984f3b0 5. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-africa-trade-idUSKBN28O240 6. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/wildfires-ravage-portugal-spain-france-2021-08-18/ 7. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/trump-says-us-troops-wont-be-sent-ukraine-but-white-house-leaves-door-open-air-support-2021-11-08/ 8. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/us-european-allies-try-hash-out-security-guarantees-ukraine-2021-11-09/ 9. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/huge-rainfall-wreaks-havoc-north-america-2021-11-11/ 10. https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/droughts-hit-countries-extending-middle-east-through-europe-2021-08-23/ 11. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-steps-contest-china-africa-focusing-ambassadors-business-deals-2021-11-09/
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