The Taliban, the Islamist extremist militant group ruling Afghanistan, has moved to improve ties with the Donald Trump administration by proposing that the United States develop the country's mineral resources.
On the 31st (local time), the Financial Times (FT) of the United Kingdom reported that Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban foreign Minister, said in a recent interview with the outlet, "Afghanistan would fully welcome U.S. investment in mining, infrastructure, agriculture and trade."
He added, "The relationship between Afghanistan and the United States should not be judged through the lens of 20 years of war, but should be viewed based on future economic cooperation," noting, "Our economic policy is completely open." However, Minister Muttaqi did not answer whether he had conveyed the proposal directly to the White House.
Afghanistan is estimated to have at least $1 trillion (about 1,370 trillion won) worth of undeveloped mineral resources, including copper, iron ore, cobalt, gold and lithium. Since retaking Afghanistan in Aug. 2021, the Taliban has signed investment agreements worth more than $7 billion (about 9.6 trillion won) with countries including China and Iran to develop minerals such as gold and chromium.
Minister Muttaqi also said he wants the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, the Afghan capital, which closed in 2021, to reopen. "We have secured the safety of the embassy, repaired roads and planted new trees," he said, emphasizing that it is "now very vibrant and attractive."
FT analyzed that the Taliban's ultimate goal is to lift international sanctions and retrieve $9.5 billion (about 13 trillion won) in assets frozen overseas. Of that, about $7 billion (about 9.6 trillion won) is frozen in the United States.
Minister Muttaqi urged the lifting of sanctions, saying, "No country or institution should use the Afghan people's asset as a tool of political pressure."