The U.S. is negotiating a potential agreement with the DRC to access rare earth minerals in exchange for military aid. Reports show talks are in early stages, facing several challenges. There is significant potential in the DRC, which is rich in untapped mineral resources.
The United States is reportedly in preliminary discussions with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) regarding a prospective agreement involving rare earth elements. This initiative marks the Trump administration’s renewed efforts to secure access to critical global resources after earlier negotiations with Ukraine. The Financial Times has reported that the proposed deal would grant the US access to essential minerals in exchange for military assistance to the DRC.
Unnamed sources cited by the Financial Times indicate that the talks between Washington and Kinshasa have gained momentum recently; however, they also note that significant challenges remain, and discussions are still in the early phases. The United Nations has documented the presence of Rwandan-backed rebels, who have seized vast territories in eastern DRC, exploiting the area’s rich mineral resources.
Tina Salama, spokesperson for DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, emphasized Kinshasa’s position, urging the US to direct its procurement of strategic minerals from the rightful owners rather than intermediaries. The eastern DRC region is believed to hold trillions of dollars’ worth of underutilized mineral resources, including cobalt, lithium, tantalum, and uranium.
In support of this initiative, DRC Senator Pierre Kanda Kalambayi formally reached out to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, advocating for a strategic partnership between the two nations. He highlighted the DRC’s substantial untapped mineral reserves, stating that in exchange for these resources, his country would anticipate increased military cooperation from the US, including training and equipment assistance for Congolese forces.
Recent developments have shown that negotiations with Ukraine for resource revenue transfer to the US unexpectedly collapsed during a contentious meeting at the White House. President Trump and Vice President JD Vance allegedly confronted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding his perceived lack of gratitude for US support, attempting to pressure him into a peace agreement with Russia, resulting in the abandonment of the planned agreement.
The U.S. is actively exploring a deal with the DRC to secure rare earth elements in exchange for military support. As negotiations progress amid regional instability, the DRC has highlighted its vast mineral wealth and expressed a strong desire for a robust partnership with the U.S. Following unsuccessful negotiations with Ukraine, this new potential relationship underscores strategic interests in securing vital resources.
Original Source: www.presstv.ir
