Should President Obama Move to Secure African Resources for America? (highway, money)

[clb10]

China now runs most of the copper, iron ore, gold and platinum mining operations in Sub-Saharan Africa:

The Next Empire - Magazine - The Atlantic

All across Africa, new tracks are being laid, highways built,ports deepened, commercial contracts signed—all on an unprecedented scale, and led by China, whose appetite for commodities seems insatiable. Do China’s grand designs promise the transformation,at last, of a star-crossed continent? Or merely its exploitation?

Since America needs these resources too should Obama use the tools at his disposal to secure access to these areas for the United States?

Or would it be cheaper to negotiate deals with the Chinese owners?

[Indentured Servant]

Originally Posted by clb10

China now runs most of the copper, iron ore, gold and platinum mining operations in Sub-Saharan Africa:

The Next Empire - Magazine - The Atlantic



Since America needs these resources too should Obama use the tools at his disposal to secure access to these areas for the United States?

Or would it be cheaper to negotiate deals with the Chinese owners?

I would Hope Africans can eventually secure those resources for itself. America has already pulled itself up with the help of African bootstraps (slavery)....now it wants their resources as well

I think that one of the reason that massive amounts of money were directed at Obama, while then a canidate, was due to the fact that his color, name and background would be able to help American interest in places like Africa, as well as, the Muslim world. Howevever a different hue on the same policy is not likely to produce any long term benefits....it might have the opposite impact.

[Jill61]

Uhm, no.

[teach1234]

Hahaha, how many wars can we lose at the same time?

[SoEdible]

I wish Africans would secure African resources for Africa.

[HappyTexan]

We're too busy in the ME for the oil.

[GALiberal]

The Africans should make deals with whoever has the best offer. Thats the free-market capitalist way right? So I hope your plan involves outbidding China when you talk about "securing access" or are you suggesting something we steal?