Keen On America Chinese Amorality vs. American Immorality
Jan 16, 2026
Nicholas Niarchos, journalist and author of The Elements of Power, dives into the paradoxes of Africa's mineral wealth and our reliance on it for clean energy. He reveals the hidden costs of electric vehicle production, exposing the dark supply chains behind seemingly green technologies. Niarchos critiques the contrasting motives of U.S. and Chinese interests in Africa, framing China as amoral and the U.S. as immoral. He also reflects on his privilege while advocating for reforms in corporate supply chains, emphasizing human rights and environmental responsibility.
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The Dirty Truth Behind Clean Tech
- Electric vehicles and digital devices look clean but their production can be highly polluting and human-rights harmful.
- Nicolas Niarchos found hybrids can be cleaner than EVs because battery production is resource-intensive.
State-Backed Rise Of Chinese Battery Giants
- Chinese battery and EV firms grew rapidly with heavy state support and cheap finance.
- Companies like BYD and CATL scaled from small workshops into global leaders aided by government policy.
China’s Mercantile Approach In Africa
- China’s role in Africa is largely mercantile and ethics-light rather than overtly colonial in the Leopoldian sense.
- Niarchos describes modern Chinese engagement as profit-driven, pragmatic, and often ethics-free.
