Sino-American agreement 2025: exclusive analysis by Khaled Hamadé

Exclusive interview with Mr. Khaled Hamadé, President of the International Institute of Geopolitical Studies (IIEG) Produced by Antoine Lawson, director of the Infoplus Gabon agency The framework agreement signed on June 11 June 2025 in London between the United States and China marks a decisive turning point in Sino-American relations. Beyond mutual trade concessions, this agreement opens a new era of strategic management of the rivalry between the two great powers. Decryption with Mr. Khaled Hamadé, president of the IIEG, a recently founded think tank already influential in diplomatic circles. Antoine Lawson: Mr. Hamadé, this agreement comes after months of commercial, technological and military tensions. Does it really mark a major geopolitical turning point? Khaled Hamadé: Absolutely. We are witnessing the emergence of a new geopolitical doctrine that I call regulated competition. Unlike the Cold War when the world was divided into two antagonistic blocs, the current era sees the superpowers alternating confrontation and cooperation according to their vital interests. The London agreement is emblematic of this new logic: Washington and Beijing are competing for global hegemony, but are forced to negotiate to preserve the stability of their interconnected economies. Strategic realism is required. Antoine Lawson: Rare earths seem to be at the heart of the agreement. Why are these resources so strategic today? Khaled Hamadé: Rare earths have become the equivalent of oil in the 21st century. They are essential to the manufacturing of advanced technologies: smartphones, wind turbines, electric vehicles, sophisticated weapons. However, China provides 92% of global refining of these critical metals. This industrial domination gives it major geopolitical leverage. The signed agreement highlights an embarrassing American dependence: despite its military power, Washington remains technologically vulnerable, because it depends on a strategic rival for access to these resources.   Antoine Lawson: Can we say that this agreement contributes to the establishment of a multipolar world? Khaled Hamadé: Paradoxically, yes. By recognizing their interdependence, the United States and China are sending a strong signal to regional powers: they too can benefit from Sino-American competition. The BRICS, in particular, are watching closely. India is accelerating its mining investments in Africa, Russia is banking on strengthened energy diplomacy, Brazil is more interested in the geopolitical valorization of its natural resources. We are witnessing the formation of regional strategic coalitions, capable of countering the exclusive influence of Washington and Beijing. Antoine Lawson: What role can Africa hope to play in this new global arena? Khaled Hamadé: Africa has immense geostrategic potential: it contains 50% of the world's cobalt reserves, 85% of manganese, and a significant portion of rare earths not yet exploited. But this potential is not synonymous with power. We need strong political will and a pan-African vision. The Sino-American agreement opens a window of opportunity: Western powers are seeking to diversify their supplies, which gives Africa unprecedented negotiating power. Provided, of course, that we overcome the logic of rent, national rivalries and focus on regional integration. Antoine Lawson: This raises the question of the economic sovereignty of African states. What do you think? Khaled Hamadé: Sovereignty in the 21st century is no longer measured solely by political or military independence. It is defined by the ability to control its strategic resources, to transform them locally, to create value. African countries must move up the value chains: build refining units, train engineers, create transnational consortia. Replacing a Chinese dependency with an American dependence would be a mistake. True sovereignty consists of playing on the rivalry between powers to obtain maximum advantages. Antoine Lawson: How do you see these issues evolving in the coming years? Khaled Hamadé: We are entering the age of strategic resources. It is no longer the only military power that shapes the balance of power, but also control of access to critical metals, water and energy. Three scenarios are possible:

1. The balance of economic terror, where interdependencies become
2. Fragmentation into watertight economic blocks, synonymous with protectionist withdrawal.
3. Regulated multipolarity, where several centers of power cooperate according to rules

In all cases, the States which control critical resources will be at the heart of international arbitrations. The London agreement is only the first act of a restructuring that could last decades.