Diplomatic Charm Offensive in Africa

Vice President Kamala Harris’s visit to Africa last week was designed to send a simple message to its governments and people — China is not your friend. The United States is.

Abdi Latif Dahir, The New York Times’s East Africa correspondent, explains what the United States has to lose if countries in Africa choose China.

Guest: Abdi Latif Dahir, the East Africa correspondent for The New York Times.

Background reading: 

• The vice president faced a balancing act as she tried to foster relationships.
• The U.S. tried to counter China’s moves in Africa during a summit last year.

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