US Strategy on Critical Minerals Puts DRC Battery Project in Doubt
Since President Donald Trump’s return to power in January, boosting domestic supplies of critical minerals, such as copper, has been a top priority, particularly for energy transition technologies
. However, this shift in focus raises questions about US support for developing a battery production value chain in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in December 2022.
This strategic pivot involves using executive powers to expedite domestic extraction and processing of raw materials, which may come at the expense of supporting international battery manufacturing efforts.
The Trump administration recently suspended funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) intended for global battery value chains, opting to reassess the allocation of these funds in alignment with its new policy priorities.
The December 2022 MoU had originally aimed to encourage US support for the DRC’s electric vehicle battery development initiative, promoting business development and technical assistance to engage the US private sector in these projects.
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