The U.S. is negotiating mineral agreements with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine to secure access to critical resources. The discussions with the DRC, initiated after the country proposed a reciprocal deal in exchange for political support, are gaining traction despite challenges. Concurrently, negotiations with Ukraine remain stalled as President Zelensky seeks better protections for his nation’s interests amid past political disputes.
The United States is currently engaged in preliminary discussions with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to establish an agreement focused on access to critical minerals. That follows a similar initiative to negotiate a mineral access agreement with Ukraine. As reported by the Financial Times, the DRC possesses substantial reserves of copper, cobalt, and uranium, which are vital for technology advancements.
Recently, the DRC proposed a deal to the U.S., offering minerals in exchange for political support for President Felix Tshisekedi amid ongoing turmoil caused by rebels backed by Rwanda. The DRC seeks to reinforce government support, particularly in cities like Goma and Bukavu that are affected by rebel activities.
The negotiations have progressed but face several challenges and are still in the initial stages. The U.S. State Department indicated an openness to partnerships in the minerals sector, noting, “The DR Congo is home to a significant portion of the world’s reserves of critical minerals needed for advanced technologies.”
A successful agreement would potentially bolster the economies of both nations while allowing the U.S. to mitigate China’s dominance in the DRC’s mining sector. In parallel, U.S. efforts to finalize a mineral agreement with Ukraine have not yet concluded. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent initially brought the draft agreement to Ukraine in February, seeking rapid ratification, which has met with resistance from President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky expressed concerns about the lack of guarantees related to investments and profits, leading him to halt the signing of the agreement. Despite prior indications from former President Trump regarding a significant mineral transfer as part of military aid, negotiations have stalled over political dynamics following a contentious White House meeting in February.
The United States is actively pursuing mineral agreements with both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine, aiming to secure access to essential resources while boosting political support. Negotiations in the DRC are increasingly significant due to its critical mineral reserves, while talks with Ukraine have faced challenges regarding legislative guarantees. These efforts reflect a strategic move to counterbalance foreign influence, particularly from China, in the global mineral market.
Original Source: babel.ua
