US EXIM to invest $100 billion in critical mineral projects in Egypt, Pakistan and Europe

A generic photo of the Washinton, DC, building that houses the Export-Import Bank, the Veterans Affairs Office of Construction, Board of Veterans Appeals, and the Administrative Office of the US Courts (Vermont and I Sts) 29 March 2002. (AFP/File)
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Updated 23 November 2025
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US EXIM to invest $100 billion in critical mineral projects in Egypt, Pakistan and Europe

  • The investment aligns with US President Donald Trump’s energy-dominance agenda
  • Trump campaigned to increase US energy output, has sought to roll back regulations

The US Export-Import Bank (EXIM) will invest $100 billion to secure US and allied supply chains for critical minerals, nuclear energy and liquefied natural gas, the organization’s chair John Jovanovic told the Financial Times in an interview published on Sunday.

The first tranche of deals will include projects in Egypt, Pakistan and Europe, Jovanovic told the newspaper, adding that the West was over-reliant on supplies of these critical materials that “are no longer fair.”

“We can’t do anything else that we’re trying to do without these underlying critical raw material supply chains being secure, stable and functioning,” he was quoted saying.

Jovanovic told the FT that the bank’s early deals would include a credit insurance guarantee for $4 billion of natural gas being delivered to Egypt by New York-based commodities group Hartree Partners, and a $1.25 billion loan for the Reko Diq mine being developed by Barrick Mining in Pakistan.

The bank has $100 billion left to deploy of the $135 billion authorized by Congress, he said.

EXIM did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.

The investment aligns with US President Donald Trump’s energy-dominance agenda.

Trump had campaigned on a promise to increase US energy output and has sought to roll back energy and environmental regulations since taking office in January.


Pakistan, Afghanistan border clashes kill 5, officials say

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Pakistan, Afghanistan border clashes kill 5, officials say

  • Afghanistan and Pakistan trade blame for “unprovoked firing” along Chaman-Spin Boldak border
  • Exchange takes place nearly a week after a fresh round of peace talks between neighbors failed

KABUL: Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy fire along their border late on Friday, officials from both countries said, killing at least five people amid heightened tensions following failed peace talks last weekend.

Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistani forces launched attacks in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province.

His deputy Hamdullah Fitra told Reuters that shelling by Pakistan killed five people, including a Taliban member.

A spokesman for Pakistan’s prime minister said Afghan forces carried out “unprovoked firing” along the Chaman border.

“Pakistan remains fully alert and committed to ensuring its territorial integrity and the safety of our citizens,” spokesman Mosharraf Zaidi said in a statement.

The exchange came nearly a week after a new round of peace talks between the South Asian neighbors ended without a breakthrough, although both sides agreed to continue their fragile ceasefire.

The talks in Saudi Arabia last weekend were the latest in a series of meetings hosted by Qatar, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia to cool tensions following deadly border clashes in October.

At the heart of the dispute, Islamabad says Afghan-based militants have carried out recent attacks in Pakistan, including suicide bombings involving Afghan nationals. Kabul denied the charge, saying it could not be held responsible for security inside Pakistan.

Dozens were killed in October’s clashes, the worst violence on the border since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021.