Democratic republic of congo plans major copper export deal with us following peace agreement

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is moving forward with plans to export 100,000 metric tons of copper to the United States by the end of January, as part of a broader strategic partnership between the two nations. According to Reuters, the Central African country has also shared a comprehensive list of state-backed mining projects with the U.S. administration, seeking investment in critical minerals including copper, manganese, and lithium.

This significant trade agreement stems from a recent peace deal brokered by the United States between the DRC and Rwanda. The diplomatic breakthrough, known as the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, emerged after escalating tensions in eastern DRC, where the M23 armed group—allegedly backed by Rwanda—took control of territories along the Rwanda-DRC border in February 2025. The conflict prompted Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi to seek assistance from his U.S. counterpart, leading to successful mediation efforts.

President Trump highlighted the economic benefits of the bilateral agreements signed with both African nations, emphasizing new opportunities for the United States to access critical minerals. “We’re sending some of our biggest and greatest companies over to the two countries,” Trump noted during the peace deal signing ceremony, framing the partnership as both a diplomatic victory and an economic win for America.

This development underscores the growing importance of securing reliable supply chains for critical minerals, particularly as global demand for materials essential to renewable energy technologies and electronics continues to surge. The partnership could significantly impact the Great Lakes region’s political stability while providing economic opportunities for all parties involved.