Donald Trump has informed Zambia that it must grant preferential mineral supply rights to the US — or face a devastating reduction in healthcare funding that could affect millions of lives.
The southern African nation has until Thursday, April 30 to decide whether it will offer US businesses preferential access to its mineral wealth. Should it refuse, the consequences could be catastrophic, with 1.3 million people who depend on US funding for HIV treatment potentially losing vital support.
HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, severely hampering its ability to combat infections. US aid currently funds antiretroviral treatment — medication that prevents the virus from replicating and allows the immune system to recover.
Zambia’s natural resources include copper, cobalt and lithium.
African nations have long depended on US funding to help meet their healthcare costs. Al Jazeera reported that African countries received $5.4bn in US assistance in 2024, the vast majority of which was directed towards humanitarian, health and disaster relief needs.
The Trump administration slashed funding in January 2025 and dismantled the US Agency for International Development (USAID). A US aid funding tracker revealed that the impact of these cuts has contributed to 518,428 child and 263,915 adult deaths from treatable conditions such as HIV and tuberculosis.
The aid cuts are consistent with Trump’s America First agenda, under which foreign assistance must directly serve US national interests — a position that also reflects the view that aid fosters over-reliance. Other African nations have already experienced the consequences of US aid reductions.
The aid cuts are consistent with Trump’s America First agenda, under which foreign assistance must directly serve US national interests — a position that also reflects the view that aid fosters over-reliance. Other African nations have already experienced the consequences of US aid reductions.
South Africa has been excluded from health aid by the Trump administration, primarily due to bringing genocide charges against American ally Israel at the International Criminal Court.
The withdrawal of US funding has impacted health services, dismantled HIV prevention programmes and disrupted the South Africa-US research collaboration.