A new wave of geopolitical deal-making is emerging, driven not by diplomacy but by private lobbyists with close ties to Donald Trump. Countries like Somalia, Yemen, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are signing high-stakes lobbying contracts, offering mineral rights and strategic access in exchange for U.S. political favor.
At the center of these negotiations are firms like Ballard Partners and BGR Government Affairs, which boast long-standing connections to Trump’s political orbit. These firms are brokering multi-million-dollar arrangements that bypass traditional international aid mechanisms.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, sitting atop massive lithium, cobalt, and coltan reserves, is offering these resources to the U.S. in return for military and diplomatic support. These critical minerals are vital to U.S. industries, particularly tech and defense, and are increasingly seen as tools of leverage.
Experts warn that these transactions blur the line between diplomacy and profiteering. When foreign policy is influenced more by lobbyist access than national interest, it raises deep ethical and strategic concerns about the direction of U.S. global engagement.
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