Trump’s global minerals strategy: From Congo to Canada, a push for critical resources
The U.S. eyes mineral-rich nations to reduce reliance on China—at what cost?
Congo: Seeking Military Aid in Exchange for Resources
As rebel forces wage a brutal war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country has begun discussions with the Trump administration regarding a potential minerals deal. In exchange for U.S. military assistance against the rebels—who control mineral-rich territories in the east of the country—the Congolese government is offering access to its vast natural resources.
The talks align with President Donald Trump’s renewed push to secure strategic mineral resources for the United States, a priority he first emphasized in his initial term. Congo is the latest country under consideration, following Trump’s previous discussions on acquiring resource-rich Greenland, securing a minerals deal with Ukraine in exchange for military aid, and even raising the possibility of annexing Canada.
Congo is the world’s largest producer of cobalt, a critical component in electric vehicle batteries. It also possesses significant deposits of gold, copper, tin, lithium, and tantalum, a metal essential for electronic components. However, much of its mining industry is controlled by Chinese firms operating in the country.
In an interview with The New York Times, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi revealed that the Trump administration had expressed interest in Congo’s mineral wealth. The proposed deal could provide Congo with military reinforcements needed to combat the M23 rebel group, which, according to U.N. officials, smuggles minerals out of the country with assistance from neighboring Rwanda.
A Congolese senator reportedly sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, suggesting that mining rights be granted to American companies in exchange for military assistance to train and equip Congolese forces, according to The Financial Times. Such an agreement would also serve U.S. interests by undermining China’s dominance in Congo’s mining sector. An official U.S. report published in 2024 noted that hundreds of Chinese companies are operating illegally in the country, further fueling tensions over resource control in Africa.
Ukraine: A Minerals Agreement in Limbo
President Trump and Ukrainian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia this week amid growing tensions over U.S. support for Ukraine. A minerals deal between the two nations was initially expected to be signed, but negotiations collapsed after Trump abruptly expelled President Volodymyr Zelensky from the White House, accusing him of being unwilling to end the war with Russia.
Behind closed doors, Trump has reportedly told aides that a minerals deal alone would not be enough to justify resuming military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine. Instead, he wants Zelensky to reconsider his stance on peace negotiations with Russia, including the possibility of territorial concessions. Additionally, Trump has pressured Zelensky to move up Ukraine’s elections—and some speculate he may even prefer a candidate more favorable to the Kremlin.
Ukraine’s rich mineral deposits are highly sought after. A deal would grant U.S. mining companies access to 22 of the 34 minerals designated as critical by the European Union, including copper, nickel, lithium, and titanium, all of which are vital to the defense, energy, and technology industries.
According to the European Commission, Ukraine supplied 7% of the world’s titanium in 2019, a key material used in nuclear power plants and aerospace manufacturing. Additionally, Ukraine holds Europe’s largest lithium reserves, crucial for battery production. A minerals agreement would allow the U.S. to reduce its dependence on China for these critical materials, especially as Beijing has begun restricting exports of rare minerals such as gallium, essential for advanced defense technologies.
Canada: A Mining Powerhouse in Trump’s Crosshairs
Since returning to the White House, Trump has floated the idea of annexing Canada as the 51st U.S. state—an idea widely rejected by Canadian officials. His broader strategy on natural resources, however, sheds light on why he has repeatedly raised this controversial notion.
Canada is one of the world’s leading mining nations, ranking among the top five producers of potash, uranium, cobalt, diamonds, aluminum, and platinum group metals. It also has vast reserves of gold, silver, nickel, lithium, and cobalt—all critical to defense and energy industries.
Despite Trump’s rhetoric, industry experts stress the importance of U.S.-Canada cooperation rather than confrontation. In an article published last week by Mining.com, analysts highlighted the role of joint mining ventures in strengthening North American supply chains amid rising trade tensions with China.
A report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) identified five critical minerals—gallium, cobalt, tungsten, niobium, and rare earths—that Canada could supply domestically, reducing reliance on foreign sources, particularly China. Historically, Canada and the U.S. have collaborated on mining during wartime, including in World War II, and experts argue that strengthening these ties now is crucial for national security.
Greenland: A Frozen Treasure Trove of Rare Earths
“Greenland sits atop vast reserves of rare earth elements,” said Senator Ted Cruz in a congressional hearing last month. “If the United States were to gain access to Greenland’s resources, it could significantly reduce its dependence on China.”
While Trump is a well-known climate change skeptic, he has taken interest in the melting Arctic ice, which is revealing previously inaccessible mineral deposits in Greenland. These include copper, gold, titanium, and graphite, but more importantly, rare earth elements (REEs)—which are essential for electronics, renewable energy, and defense technologies.
Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, contains 43 of the 50 minerals the U.S. has designated as critical to national security. These include vanadium and chromium, key components for steel production and high-tech manufacturing. Given China’s dominance in the rare earth market, Trump’s interest in Greenland is geopolitical as much as economic.
The Greenlandic government has issued 100 mining licenses to foreign companies, including Rio Tinto and KoBold Metals. However, actual mining operations remain limited, with only two active mines due to environmental concerns and complex regulatory requirements. Greenland’s strong environmental movement has previously halted mining projects over pollution fears, particularly in the rare earth sector, where extraction can generate toxic waste.
Trump’s proposal to buy Greenland from Denmark has faced fierce resistance from both Greenlandic officials and Danish authorities, but Washington’s interest in Arctic resources is unlikely to fade. With rising demand for critical minerals and an ongoing trade war with China, securing alternative sources will remain a U.S. strategic priority in the years ahead.
