Export–Import Bank of the United States

How Russia Is Eclipsing the U.S. in Africa

The Kremlin is preparing to showcase its steadily growing influence in Africa, which has often come at Washington’s expense. On October 28-29, Moscow will host more than 30 African delegations for the...

China’s Push for Transport Integration Could Expand Beijing’s Control of Central Asian Trade Routes

A new front in the U.S.-China competition is taking shape along the Middle Corridor, the critical trade route linking China and Europe while bypassing Russia and Iran. This corridor, also known as the...

Knowledge is power: Why America needs economic security intelligence

Excerpt America was unprepared for its trade war with China, but it shouldn’t have been. As Beijing cut off access to critical minerals, the United States had no response but a quiet retreat. The...

Central Asia’s Power Needs Are an Opportunity for Washington

Blackouts across Central Asia should be a light-bulb moment for Washington as it seeks to diversify critical-mineral supply chains. An August 14 blackout across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and...

How to Get the Other Half of US Economic Statecraft Right 

The United States has the means to block adversaries from gaining an advantage in trade. However, it also needs a positive vision and toolkit for international commerce and investment.

China’s Expanding Presence in Kyrgyzstan Undermines Human Rights, U.S. Strategic Interests

In Kyrgyzstan, criticism of Chinese influence can end in public shaming or an arrest warrant. On July 20, a Kyrgyz presidential administration official published photographs, names, birth dates, and social...

Kazakhstan Bets on Iranian Port Investment

Landlocked Kazakhstan is seeking port access, and Astana is banking on Iran to provide it. On July 8, Kazakhstan signed an agreement to build a logistics and transport terminal at Iran’s largest seaport...

Sanctioning DR Congo’s Blood Gold Is Smart, but Not Enough

The east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is now at the center of the U.S.-China critical mineral conflict. On June 25, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned a network based in the Rwandan capital of...

Previewing the Trump-Xi Summit 

A Gameplan for American Economic Security:

Supercharging U.S. Statecraft, from an Economic Pentagon to the Near-Global Economy

CATL’s Mining Push Escalates China’s Critical Minerals Offensive

China’s battery giant is going vertical. CATL, the world’s largest battery manufacturer, announced a $4.4 billion investment to launch a dedicated mining subsidiary focused on securing critical mineral...

“Project Vault” Takes Aim at Broken Critical Mineral Markets

The United States may finally be serious about breaking China’s control over minerals that are critical for commercial and defense technologies. The announcement of “Project Vault” on February...

As the noose tightens around Nicolas Maduro, how to ensure a strong — and pro-American — Venezuela follows

With President Donald Trump announcing a “total and complete” oil blockade of Venezuela this week, the noose around dictator Nicolas Maduro’s neck is tightening. A massive US Navy strike...

5 Ways the U.S. Should Retain and Upgrade America’s Development Finance Corporation (DFC)

Congress would be smart to ensure the survival and reform of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) – America’s development bank that invests in private sector projects in developing...

President Trump Issues Executive Orders to Counter China’s Drone Industry

The Trump administration is ramping up its efforts to counter the threat posed by China’s drone industry. On June 6, President Donald Trump signed two executive orders to codify a process for screening...

Trump Takes Aim at Chinese Minerals Chokehold, Paving Path for Increased Investment

Washington is finally trying to free itself from China’s mineral chokehold.

In Sign of Deepening Ties, China Signs Agreements With Cook Islands

China has increased its presence in Oceania, undermining regional confidence in the United States and threatening sea lines critical for Australia’s and New Zealand’s security. On February 22, China...

Biotech Battlefield

Weaponizing Innovation in the Age of Genomics

Congress Should Create an Economic Statecraft and Security Commission

The United States has a few powerful tools to conduct economic warfare and strengthen its economic security. Unfortunately, many of them operate independently, without coordination, lacking strategic guidance,...

Tightening the Belt or End of the Road? China’s BRI at 10