Will Trump entertain the Taliban's rare-earth invitation?

Will Trump entertain the Taliban's rare-earth invitation? The Taliban in Afghanistan presented an unprecedented business opportunity to the United States five years after their takeover, offering to invest in Afghan minerals and open an embassy. US President Donald Trump, known for his keen interest in securing rare minerals, is reportedly intrigued by the offer.

Despite the Taliban's position as a sanctioned and shunned regime by the international community and its conflict with Pakistan, Trump is aware that Russia and China are also showing interest in Afghan minerals. Mining had been a topic of interest since the Cold War, with Soviet scientists conducting initial geological surveys believing Afghanistan held approximately $1tn worth of rare earth minerals.

Although many US initiatives in the past failed due to security concerns and rampant corruption, the situation has improved, potentially tempting Trump to pursue the deal, as famously written in his book "The Art of the Deal."