
US Democratic lawmakers criticized the Trump administration for using strategic competition with China over critical minerals as an excuse for corruption, alleging that billions in mining deals enriched the president's family and friends while undermining safeguards against misuse of taxpayer funds.
AI-generated summary
The Trump administration has invested billions in domestic and overseas mining projects, taken stakes in US mining companies, and formed international partnerships to counter China's control over critical mineral processing. China holds a near monopoly in processing minerals like graphite, gallium, tungsten, germanium, and rare earth elements, which are vital for military systems, semiconductors, and robotics.
Lawmakers say strategic competition over critical minerals doesn’t justify abandoning safeguards that prevent funds from being misused
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Nayan Sethin Washington
Published: 10:18am, 3 Sep 2026
US Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday accused the Donald Trump administration of using the critical minerals contest with China as an excuse for corruption – alleging billions of dollars in deals were enriching the president’s family and friends.
“Competition with China is no excuse for abandoning safeguards that prevent taxpayer funds from being misused for private enrichment,” said Linda Sanchez, the Democratic lawmaker from California, at a Ways and Means Committee hearing titled “Strategic Partnerships to Secure Critical Resources and Supply Chains”.
“We also cannot say that because China is a strategic competitor, every mining deal is automatically a good deal.”
The Trump administration has poured billions of dollars into domestic and overseas mining projects, acquired stakes in US mining companies and established bilateral and international partnerships in a bid to break China’s chokehold on critical mineral supply chains.
Beijing holds a near monopoly in the processing of major minerals such as graphite, gallium, tungsten, germanium and rare earth elements – metals that are critical to military systems, semiconductor manufacturing and robotics.
While US industry leaders and mining experts have welcomed the investments on national security grounds, many have raised concerns about a lack of transparency and favouritism in awarding mining contracts.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Congressional oversight of Trump administration's critical minerals deals will increase
Likely · Within weeks

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