Resource Roulette: Poor Countries Bet on Trump-Linked Lobbyists Amid Aid Cuts

With the US drastically scaling back its foreign aid, some of the world’s most impoverished nations are engaging in a high-stakes game of “resource roulette,” turning to lobbyists connected to Donald Trump to secure crucial American support. Countries like Somalia, Yemen, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are reportedly pouring millions into these efforts, with some contracts escalating to tens of millions of dollars.
This strategic shift means that instead of receiving traditional aid, these nations are now frequently offering valuable natural resources as a bargaining tool. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country abundant in sought-after minerals, is said to be prepared to grant American corporations rights to its lithium, cobalt, and coltan in exchange for political and military assurances from the United States.
Key players in this new lobbying landscape include firms like Ballard Partners, owned by Trump-era advisor Brian Ballard. The DRC has reportedly invested approximately $1.2 million with Ballard’s firm to gain a foothold in Washington. Meanwhile, Somalia and Yemen have collectively paid BGR Government Affairs over $870,000 to advocate their interests, highlighting the significant financial outlay required.
Watchdog organizations like Global Witness are raising alarms. Emily Stewart, a critic from the group, warns that the reduced humanitarian funding is compelling these vulnerable nations into lopsided agreements, particularly when their only valuable assets are irreplaceable mineral deposits. This transactional approach risks deepening economic disparities and exploiting resource-rich but financially struggling states.