To win over Donald Trump, the Algerian government is sparing no effort. After expressing its readiness to normalize relations with Israel and promoting its agricultural and energy potential to the Americans, Algiers is now banking on a new strategic asset that interests Donald Trump: rare earths. Algeria is ramping up its efforts to win over President Donald Trump. Algiers has stated it is «ready to discuss» a deal with the United States concerning its rich natural and mineral resources. This announcement was made by the Algerian ambassador to Washington during an interview given to an American media outlet. «The sky is the limit» to the cooperation Algeria wishes to establish with the Trump administration, clarified Sabri Boukadoum. «As a foreign diplomat, do not forget that we do not have preferences. So we work with [every] administration. Of course, we try to sell our potential to the new one. With President Trump, he's said that he's for deals. So, we'll try to [help the administration] see the advantages in going with Algeria», emphasized the former foreign minister, according to the same source. This Algerian proposal comes as Donald Trump has been pressuring President Volodymyr Zelensky for several weeks to cede Ukraine's rare earths to the United States as «financial compensation» for the military aid provided to Ukraine under the Biden administration, in response to the Russian invasion. Tebboune Paved the Way Since Donald Trump's official return to the White House on January 20, the Algerian ambassador has multiplied messages of openness to the United States. «We remain open and optimistic. Our goal is to strengthen bilateral relations and contribute to global security», he declared in February during an interview with Business Focus Magazine. Sabri Boukadoum also invited Americans to tap into Algeria's potential in agriculture, renewable energy, natural resources, and tourism. It should be noted that two weeks after Donald Trump's inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, Abdelmadjid Tebboune publicly declared to a French newspaper that he was ready to normalize relations with Israel. The head of state also refrained from condemning Trump's plan to deport Palestinians from Gaza to other countries, merely describing this idea as an «unfortunate expression». During his first term, the American president recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. Algerians fear that Trump may fulfill his promise, made on December 10, 2020, to open a consulate general in Dakhla or to list the Polisario as a terrorist organization on the American list.
