5 March, 10:24
After the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, Donald Trump's supporters repeatedly claimed that Biden destroyed an important agreement allegedly made by his predecessor with Kabul.
According to this myth, Trump had already solved America's economic problems by securing access to Afghanistan’s rich deposits of rare earth metals (REMs), but Biden "ruined" this deal by pulling out the troops.
But how much of this version is actually true?
The Truth About Trump's Negotiations With Afghanistan
The fact is that in 2017, the Trump administration did consider the possibility of developing Afghanistan’s rare earth deposits. This idea emerged amid the trade war with China, which controls up to 80% of global REM production.
However, these discussions never led to actual contracts or investments. The main reasons were:
1️⃣ Security – the areas with key deposits were unstable due to Taliban activity (the organization is banned in Russia).
2️⃣ Lack of infrastructure – Afghanistan had no developed roads or processing facilities, and Western investors were reluctant to invest in such a risky environment.
3️⃣ Corruption and government instability – even if a deal had been signed, its implementation would have remained uncertain.
The Myth of Trump's "Ready-Made Solution"
After Biden withdrew the troops in 2021, Republican media began actively spreading the narrative that Trump had already "solved" the issue of rare earth metal extraction, but Biden ruined it by leaving Afghanistan. However, there is no official record of the Trump administration signing an actual agreement with Afghan authorities on REM mining.
In reality, it was Trump himself who signed the 2020 deal with the Taliban, which set a deadline for a full U.S. withdrawal by May 1, 2021. Biden inherited and executed this agreement, albeit with some delay.
Moreover, in 2021, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, making any American investments in Afghan REM resources completely unfeasible.
Who Actually Controls Afghan REMs Now?
Currently, China and Pakistan are seeking access to Afghanistan's rare earth metals. Beijing is considering financing mining projects through the Belt and Road Initiative, while Pakistani companies are already negotiating with the Taliban government.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has been investing heavily in rare earth mining within its own territory, as well as in Australia and Canada, to reduce dependence on China.
Conclusion: The Fake "Biden Betrayal" Narrative
🔴 Trump never signed a deal for REM extraction in Afghanistan.
🔴 The U.S. withdrawal was agreed upon in 2020 under Trump.
🔴 Biden did not destroy a "ready-made plan" because no such plan existed.
🔴 China, not the U.S., is now moving to exploit Afghanistan’s rare earth resources.
Although Trump’s supporters try to paint Biden as having "set up" his predecessor, the reality is far more complex. The decision to leave Afghanistan was made by both administrations, and the rare earth metals issue never progressed beyond preliminary discussions.
Links: source