Trump Eyes Afghanistan’s Mines; A New Competition with China Amid Failure in Ukraine

The Indian publication India has reported that U.S. President Donald Trump, after failing to gain access to Ukraine’s mineral resources, has once again set his sights on Afghanistan’s vast mineral reserves. According to the report, China’s growing influence in Afghanistan could serve as an excuse for America’s return to the country.

Trump’s Failure in Ukraine and Shift of Focus to Afghanistan

India writes that in his latest conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump failed to secure the economic privileges he sought. This failure not only impacted Ukraine’s peace negotiations but also obstructed Trump’s attempt to finance the war through access to Ukraine’s mineral resources.

According to the report, the U.S. signed a trillion-dollar mineral agreement with the former Afghan government in 2017, but after the Taliban took power in 2021, this deal was nullified.

Competition with China: Trump’s Main Motivation

India further states that Trump, recognizing the strategic importance of Afghanistan’s rare mineral reserves, seeks to prevent China from gaining dominance in this economic competition. In recent years, China has expanded its economic ties and strategic investments in Afghanistan, particularly in lithium, copper, and other rare elements essential for advanced industries and modern technologies.

According to the report, Trump is looking for a justification to re-establish the U.S. presence in Afghanistan, and China’s increasing influence in the country could provide a suitable pretext for Washington’s new policies.

The Future of Afghanistan’s Mines: A Battleground for Global Powers

Given the strategic importance of Afghanistan’s mineral resources and their role in the global economy, it is likely that the country will once again become a battleground for major powers such as the U.S., China, and Russia. However, the policies of the Taliban and the region’s security conditions will be the key factors in determining the fate of these resources.