Under the surface of global politics, a new breed is going on – no oil or country is fed, but by the metals and minerals that feed our phones, vehicles and defense systems of electricity. In his second term, President Trump has made protecting these critical resources into a central pillar of the United States policy, alliances and strategic priorities about access and control.
From the coal, gas and iron-rich Ukraine to the cobalt fields of Africa, the competition for control is warmed up and what happens subsequently, the power relationships for the coming decades can again define.
“Mineral diplomacy can secure the future of America if it is done well,” retired diplomat from the United States and expert in energy policy and critical minerals Martin Healy tells the New York Sun.
Ukraine
After months of negotiations, the United States and Ukraine signed a milestone deal this week in which the Joint Reconstruction Investment Fund was established to facilitate the post -war reconstruction and economic recovery of Ukraine. According to the deal, Ukraine will contribute 50 percent of the future income of newly developed natural resources – such as minerals, oil and gas – to the fund, while retaining fully ownership and control over this assets. The United States will offer financial support and investment expertise, whereby both countries share equal management and voting rights within the fund.
“The American minerals deal can make a change in President Trump’s vision about the Ukrainian-Russian war,” says geopolitical analyst Dean Shmuel Elmas The Sun.
“If Mr. Trump knew that this war would influence his mineral import, he would be more aggressive towards his colleague, President Vladimir Putin,” he added. “This deal will strengthen the American supply chains, which I think will not only depend on Ukraine.”
The agreement does unnecessary Ukraine to fully repay earlier military help from the United States, with regard to previous requirements for total compensation. Instead, it focuses on long -term cooperation to promote the stability, safety and prosperity of Ukraine. It is important that it is also aimed at strengthening the supply chains for important technical and defense industry, while injecting the much needed investments in the war in Ukraine.
While praised as a Strategic victory For both parties, the deal comes with complications.
A significant part of the mineral wealth of Ukraine is under Russian occupation and mining activities are confronted with large obstacles – from damaged infrastructure to widespread landmines. Experts warn that every large-scale extraction-in particular under the new deal of the United States-Zal will be stuck unless Ukraine tackles the widespread threat of non-deflected ammunition about his mining zones for the first time.
Critics also warn that the pact, in combination with Trump’s controversial peace proposal with territorial concessions, could further fade the line between economic support and geopolitical pressure. Nevertheless, the deal offers a lifeline for KYIV – and an interest in the mineral game that shaping global power.
The Congo
Ukraine is hardly the only part of the “mineral diplomacy” strategy that is pursued by the administration.
While the Democratic Republic of the Congo is fighting a profound crisis in its mineral -rich east, it is turning Unconventional allies to protect and take advantage of its enormous natural wealth. Erik Prince, the controversial American security contractor and ally of the Vocal Trump, has quietly concluded a deal with the Congolese government to help secure and tax the critical mineral resources of the country – an industry that is teased for a long time by corruption and smuggling.
The pact, reaches Before Rwanda-stundled M23 rebels escalated their offensive in January, it was initially intended to position Prince’s contractors in Goma. With the city now under rebel control, however, the plan is on ice, so Kinshasa clambers its ambitions for stricter control over his valued mineral territories.
Behind the scenes, sources tell the Sun that the United States is also investigating a broader minerals-for-security partnership with Congo-one that would indicate a major shift in how Washington deals with the region. Frustrated by years of international inactivity, while rebels strip its eastern provinces of wealth, Kinshasa seems ready to use what it has: the raw materials where the modern world cannot do without.
A source that is related to the administration points out that the basis for a Congo deal was created during the first Trump period when the then President Joseph Kabila met the then nations ambassador Nikki Haley to “expand diplomatic relations”.
“Growth in minerals, metals and energy is a matter of American national security,” the Insider noted.
The deployment is considerable. Congo has some of the world’s richest deposits from cobalt and lithium – important ingredients in batteries that drive everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. Much of that wealth flows through illegal channels or to foreign interests, special China.
Managing director of strategic advocacy Nestpoint Associates, John Thomas tells the Sun that “the US-led partnership to assess DRC-Mijnbouw contracts is a crucial step to dispute China’s dominance about cobalt and copper.”
“We are actually quite involved in these types of deals in Africa, and the answer is that this is a once-in-one-generation chance to reset the relations with African countries and to break the grip of China on some of these countries,” he says.
“Part of the key to all these deals will not only close a deal, but ensure that American companies are involved in structuring, financing and operating the mines. This ensures stability and lifespan of the partnerships.”
Others are skeptical.
“Can revision of mining contracts reform Western influence? I doubt it. China controls more than 70 percent of the cobalt and copper production of DRC and corruption plus M23 rebel conflicts give the DRC moving in the short term in the short term,” Mr Healy claimed.
Canada, Greenland
The strategic importance of the United States in mineral-rich regions such as Canada and Greenland is also intensified as part of its broader mineral diplomacy efforts. Both countries have considerable reserves of critical minerals that are essential for modern technologies and defense applications.
The enormous mineral wealth of Canada – with a value of around $ 1.7 trillion in 2023 – has positioned it as a world leader in critical sources that are essential for modern technologies, including lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earth elements. This abundance has attracted international attention, in particular from Mr Trump, who has made quips about Canada that becomes the 51st state – an idea that may be driven by a desire to secure these valuable resources.
Greenland, with its enormous deposits of rare earth elements and other critical minerals, has also attracted the attention of the White House. A recent visit to Greenland by Vice President Vance and a delegation underlines the growing interest in setting up partnerships to develop these resources in a responsible manner. Although previous discussions about acquiring Greenland Scepsis have been received, the current focus is on promoting the economic cooperation that benefits all parties involved.
Supply chain misery
However, there is more “mineral diplomacy” than money.
The renewed urge of Washington for minerals comes in the midst of a growing concern about the deep dependence on opponent Beijing for critical raw materials. China dominates the global supply chain for rare earth elements – bookkeeping For about 90 percent of production and the United States, almost three-quarters of its rare earthy needs from Beijing import.
These minerals are vital for modern life, which drives everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to rockets and advanced radar systems. Any disruption of the offer can cause damage to important American industries and national safety infrastructure.
‘The 80 percent grasp of China on global mineral processing is a safety threat, but the US can combat innovation and sanctions in the private sector to disturb Beijing’s predatory contracts, “said Mr Thomas.
In response to escalating tensions, Mr. Trump signed An executive order in March to “stimulate American mineral production, allow and streamline and improve national security.” The order called on federal agencies to prioritize mining on public land, to challenge restrictive statements and even use military bases for processing.
Mr Thomas emphasized that they see ‘real -time results’ after the executive order.
“In the short term, faster permits and new mines expect; Long -term, reduced foreign dependency bolsters our economy and safety,” he said.
“We see an increasing deal stream for American companies to open refinery facilities here in places like Texas, because even if the US obtains rare earth from African countries, they must ensure that it can be refined in a place that is not checked by China. It is of crucial interest that the United States breaks down.”
Last week, Mr. Trump issued Another executive action to accelerate the access of the United States to alternative mineral sources, including the ocean floor. This movement, although heavy condemned Environmental groups and democratic legislators follow a series of aggressive export controls from China, which have sharpened the restrictions on Gallium, Germanium and six heavy rare earth elements, including Terbium and Dysprosium in recent months.
The White House has labeled The actions of China, a form of ‘economic coercion’, underlines the urgency to protect independent and diversified mineral supply chains by strategic partnerships with countries such as Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo and beyond.
“Mineral diplomacy causes critical means for American technology and defense; to be honest, everything that arrives rare earth. America is dangerously vulnerable to the political grilling of China as a result of our lack of rare nature production and refinement capacity,” Mr Thomas said.
“This is not a wish list item; it is a must-have. It strengthens the future of America when it is accompanied by domestic production to guarantee sovereignty.”
However, other observers warn that Beijing’s offer to surpass it in the mineral mining sector has different disadvantages.
“Without tackling corruption and conflicts, diplomacy failed,” Mr Healy suspected. “Trust and political will be of crucial importance, or otherwise China will have the upper hand.”
The Washington established Erazia expert Igor Danchenko also emphasized that there are other critical factors to consider.
“The dilemma is that, while the DRC offer its reserves to the US, and a few others can follow the example, in a security scheme, the US will be willing to commit or substantial military help? If so, the risk that the US will drag itself in wars that are difficult to sell to the general public at home,” he added.
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