The US is in exploratory discussions with the Democratic Republic of Congo about a possible deal giving it access to critical minerals in the African country, the latest in a series of efforts by the Trump administration to secure access to resources overseas.
DR Congo — which has vast supplies of copper, cobalt and uranium — approached the US last month with a proposal for a deal that would offer exploration rights in exchange for support for the government of President Félix Tshisekedi, according to public documents.
Congolese officials hope a minerals deal will shore up support for Tshisekedi as he struggles with armed conflict in the eastern part of the country, where M23 rebels backed by neighbouring Rwanda have captured swaths of mineral rich territory and the two largest cities, Goma and Bukavu.