President Donald J. Trump announced a major economic breakthrough alongside the Washington Accords, revealing that the United States has signed new bilateral agreements with both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. These deals, finalized on December 4, 2025, grant American companies preferential access to some of the world’s most critical minerals—especially cobalt and coltan, two resources essential to batteries, electronics, electric vehicles, and national-security technologies.

Trump described the announcement as a milestone achievement that benefits all parties involved. “Today, the United States is also signing our own bilateral agreements with the Congo and Rwanda that will unlock new opportunities for the United States to access critical minerals and provide economic benefits for everybody,” he said. The President framed the move as part of a broader strategy to reshape global supply chains, strengthen American industry, and secure long-term economic and geopolitical stability.

The Democratic Republic of Congo controls an overwhelming share of the world’s cobalt supply—around 70 percent according to U.S. Geological Survey estimates. For years, China has dominated mineral extraction and processing in the region, leveraging its control to influence global markets and restrict Western access. Under the new agreements, U.S. firms will receive stabilized, preferential terms for investment, mining partnerships, and purchasing rights. The Trump Administration argues that this shift will dramatically reduce dependence on China and reassert American leadership in high-tech manufacturing.

Rwanda’s inclusion reflects its strategic position in refining networks and cross-border mineral flows. By partnering with both nations simultaneously, the United States aims to foster a transparent, rules-based system that encourages economic cooperation rather than conflict. Administration officials emphasize that the mineral accords were designed to complement the Washington peace deal, ensuring that stability and economic growth advance together.

Supporters say the announcement is another example of Trump’s ability to combine diplomacy with economic advantage—mirroring earlier successes such as the Abraham Accords, which strengthened U.S.–Israel cooperation while expanding regional trade. In this case, securing access to critical mineral supplies not only bolsters American manufacturing but also brings new development opportunities to central Africa, offering jobs, infrastructure, and long-term investment.

While challenges remain—particularly lingering tensions and disputes in eastern Congo—the bilateral deals signal a dramatic realignment of resources and alliances. If successfully implemented, they will weaken China’s decades-long domination of Africa’s mineral sector and strengthen America’s position in the global technology economy.

For the Trump Administration, the mineral agreements are not just economic arrangements; they are a strategic declaration that the United States is back at the center of global supply chains. The deals mark a powerful extension of American influence at the very moment the Washington Accords aim to bring peace and stability to one of the world’s most contested regions.