Minerals become ultimate bargaining chip in Trump’s diplomatic deals

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. WASHINGTON—President Trump is pressing for access to mineral rights across the globe, hoping to outduel China in a global competition for raw materials to fuel U.S. military and industrial might.

He has pushed the State Department to make mineral deals that would bolster U.S. industry and weapons, U.S. officials said.

He has instructed the Pentagon to plan to refine metals on military bases and protect U.S.-operated mines in dangerous areas, the officials said. Many of the countries where Trump is pursuing mining rights want something in return. Ukraine suggested mineral access to Trump to secure U.S.

support against Russia, but those negotiations sputtered after Trump demanded more from the Ukrainian economy. The Democratic Republic of Congo wants Washington’s help against a rebel group and would provide access to mines to get it. And Denmark is floating mining contracts and military basing opportunities in hopes of rebuffing Trump’s demand to own Greenland, part of its kingdom.

Senior officials including national security adviser Mike Waltz are leading the hunt for mining contracts. Massad Boulos, father-in-law of Trump’s daughter, Tiffany Trump, is helping the administration obtain mining contracts as a senior adviser for African affairs. Trump wants the U.S.

to better compete with the extractionary relationships China has established in regions including Africa and Latin America. “Prioritizing critical minerals in our foreign policy not only helps power the American economy but also eliminates dependency on global competitors such as China," said National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes. Trump’s mineral zeal is a facet of a transactional foreign policy under which he is