Trump’s New Wave of Critical Minerals Negotiations Raises Human Rights, Environmental Concerns
WASHINGTON, D.C — Today, President Trump issued an executive order directing the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate trade agreements with other countries to secure access to their “critical minerals.” This development comes on the heels of a letter from 35+ organizations released last month describing the terms that should be the basis for such agreements and calling on the Trump administration to halt any ongoing negotiations on critical minerals until the process is opened to public input and affected communities are meaningfully consulted.
Global Trade Watch director Melinda St. Louis issued the following statement:
“In the wake of Trump’s illegal invasion of Venezuela, where he clearly articulated the goal of imperialist resource extraction, and amid the administration’s efforts to dismantle regulations in the mining sector at home, this new push for ‘negotiations’ related to minerals trade is extremely concerning.
“What’s glaringly absent from today’s executive order is any mention of ensuring accountability in the notoriously dangerous and dirty mining and processing minerals supply chain. More secretive trade negotiations will no doubt result in more low-road extractivism at home and abroad that will harm vulnerable communities and the environment in resource-rich regions.
“Congress must exercise its constitutional authority over trade and demand a transparent and participatory process, meaningful labor, environmental and human rights standards, and a vote on any final deals.”
Additional resources:
- Recommendations for Critical Minerals Trade Agreements From 35+ Organizations, Including Public Citizen, Sierra Club, Earthworks, and Friends of the Congo
- Trump’s U.S.-Malaysia Deal: Cementing Extractivist Colonialism
- Trade and Critical Minerals: The Deadly Cost of Nickel Mining in Indonesia
- Trade and Critical Minerals: The Deadly Cost of Cobalt Mining in the Congo
- Sánchez and 50+ Reps Call for Transparency in Congo Critical Minerals Agreement