The Biden administration has been meeting with officials and companies in Africa to shore up the United States’ supply of the critical minerals needed for the clean energy transition while simultaneously diminishing China’s mining dominance in the region. POLITICO’s 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.

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Catherine Morehouse is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of the POLITICO Energy podcast.

Ben Lefebvre is an energy reporter for POLITICO.

Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer.

Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO.

Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

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Inside America’s new energy diplomacy effort in Africa