Donald Trump’s former allies are capitalizing on the needs of struggling nations, offering political access in exchange for valuable natural resources. Lobbyists from Ballard Partners and BGR Government Affairs are helping countries like the DRC sell mining rights in return for U.S. backing.
The amounts paid for this access are enormous—sometimes reaching tens of millions. In one case, the DRC is offering up its rich cobalt and lithium reserves, critical to American tech and defense sectors.
This system of transactional diplomacy is bypassing normal diplomatic channels. Nations that once relied on aid must now navigate a system where influence is bought, not earned.
The privatization of foreign policy this way could set a dangerous precedent, where economic desperation leads to strategic dependency and a global imbalance of power.