Poor Countries Turn to Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Secure Aid Amid U.S. Cuts

Kokcha News Agency: Following cuts to U.S. humanitarian aid, several of the world’s poorest countries are turning to lobbyists with ties to President Donald Trump to secure assistance and support. According to a report by The Guardian, these countries are paying millions to Trump-linked lobbying groups in an attempt to compensate for the reduction in foreign aid.

A report by Global Witness reveals that 11 countries, including Somalia, Haiti, and Yemen, have signed significant lobbying deals with figures closely connected to Trump in the wake of U.S. aid cuts. The report highlights that many of these nations are now offering access to critical natural resources, such as minerals, in exchange for humanitarian or military support.

$17 Million in Deals Signed
Documents show that $17 million worth of deals were signed between Trump-linked lobbyists and some of the world’s least developed countries in the six months following the U.S. presidential election in November 2025. These countries were also among the largest recipients of aid from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which officially closed its doors last week as part of Trump’s plan to dismantle the agency.

Emily Stewart, policy lead for transition minerals at Global Witness, stated that the situation has become “more desperate and less favorable for low-income countries,” which are increasingly vulnerable to the exploitation of their natural resources.

Natural Resources in Exchange for Support
Records under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act show that several countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), have signed multiple deals with lobbyists. The DRC, which has faced years of displacement and conflict due to its mineral wealth, is reportedly preparing to sign a deal that would grant U.S. companies access to lithium, cobalt, and coltan in exchange for U.S. support against Rwandan-backed rebel groups.

The DRC, one of the top 10 recipients of USAID aid, signed $1.2 million worth of deals with Ballard Partners, a lobbying group owned by Brian Ballard, a prominent donor to Trump’s 2016 campaign.

Other Countries Follow Suit
Somalia and Yemen signed deals worth $550,000 and $372,000, respectively, with BGR Government Affairs, a lobbying firm whose former partner, Sean Duffy, now serves as Transportation Secretary in Trump’s cabinet.

Pakistan, which struggles with deep poverty but is rich in minerals, signed two deals worth $450,000 with Trump-linked lobbyists within a month. Other countries have reportedly offered access to ports, military bases, and rare earth minerals in exchange for U.S. support.