Taliban offers Trump an olive branch, seeks sanctions relief in exchange for mineral wealth

Afghanistan's Taliban government is offering American companies access to the country's mineral wealth as it seeks to reopen a channel with Donald Trump's administration.

Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi told the Financial Times that the Taliban would welcome US investment in mining, infrastructure, agriculture and trade. He said Afghanistan-US relations should not be judged solely through the shadow of their 20-year war, adding, "Our economic policy is open." He did not say whether the proposal had been formally delivered to the Trump administration.

The offer is built around Afghanistan's estimated mineral reserves, which past geological studies by the United States and Afghanistan valued at $1 trillion or more. The country has deposits of copper, iron ore, lithium, cobalt, niobium and gold.

Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban has announced mining investment agreements worth more than $7 billion with several countries, particularly China and Iran. Kabul hopes American investment could help persuade Washington to ease sanctions and release Afghan assets frozen abroad. Afghanistan's central bank says about $9.5 billion in reserves remain frozen, including roughly $7 billion in the United States.

The proposal also reflects Washington's growing interest in critical minerals and efforts to reduce dependence on China for supplies of copper, lithium and rare elements. Muttaqi has previously called for the reopening of the US Embassy in Kabul and invited American companies to invest in mines, dams and roads. The Taliban rejects any return of US troops, while Washington remains cautious over counterterrorism, security, women's rights and girls' education. The White House and State Department have not issued an official response. Sanctions, the Taliban's lack of international recognition and security risks continue to stand in the way of large-scale US investment.

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Our economic policy is open.