U.S. State Department Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell says that whether it is exploring for rare earth minerals, establishing military bases in Africa, or building more ships and submarines, the United States needs to do more to compete with China.
Speaking at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing Tuesday, Campbell called China the "defining geopolitical challenge confronting modern American diplomacy."
"We need to do more, and we have to contest Chinese actions, not only in terms of their forward basing strategy, but their desire to go after Africa's rare earths that will be critical for our industrial and technological capabilities," he said.
Campbell added that China has presented U.S. diplomats with a global challenge that extends from economics and defense to information and human rights.
Bipartisan desire to compete
Lawmakers from across the political divide who attended the hearing agreed with that assessment and the need to compete with China's influence.
Republican Senator Marco Rubio from Florida expressed concern about China being the "world's leading shipbuilder" and "undisputed king of basic industrial inputs."
Campbell agreed with the senator, noting that the difference between the two countries was "deeply concerning," and that the U.S. "has to do better" in shipbuilding.
He also said the United States submarine program needs more attention.
In his opening remarks, Ben Cardin, a Democratic senator and chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the United States needs to offer the Global South an alternative to China.
"In order to address these challenges, the United States should not only be investing in our military, but also our diplomatic and economic development tools," Cardin said.
Technology and critical rare earth minerals used to make everything from semiconductor chips to batteries in electric vehicles was an area of particular focus during the hearing, given China's dominance.
In 2022, China was the largest source of rare earth mineral imports for the United States at 70%, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It is also the world's biggest supplier of rare earth minerals.
"If you look at a balance sheet of the top 40 trace elements and minerals that are necessary for batteries or for semiconductors, the vast lion's share of those supplies are now controlled by China," Campbell said. He noted that while the U.S. was initially in an unfavorable position, it has stepped up signing critical mineral agreements with Japan and Australia.
Campbell also said the Lobito corridor project in Africa — a railway that will run through mineral-rich Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to an Atlantic port in Angola — would help meet U.S. demand for the minerals.
Hearing looks at relations with Africa
Increasing diplomatic relations with Africa was a key focus of the hearing.
Campbell said he has traveled to Africa twice since his appointment in February and has plans for a third trip. He also noted that there are 14 ambassador nominations for posts on the continent yet to be approved by the Senate.
Several senators at the hearing stressed the need to increase the U.S. diplomatic footprint and fill empty ambassadorial posts, particularly within the Global South.
Campbell said the lack of U.S. ambassadors in key posts is "embarrassing" and "antithetical to U.S. strategic interests."
During the hearing, lawmakers also discussed the need for U.S. involvement in international infrastructure development projects, continued support of Ukraine against Russia's invasion, and the need for more efforts to combat Chinese misinformation and press manipulation in third countries.
