Lobbyists linked to Donald Trump paid millions by world’s poorest countries

Somalia, DR Congo and Yemen among states forced to sign deals and barter their minerals for aid or military support

SearchSupport usPrint subscriptionsNewslettersDownload the appSearch jobsDigital ArchiveGuardian LicensingAbout UsThe Guardian appVideoPodcastsPicturesInside the GuardianGuardian WeeklyCrosswordsWordiplyCorrectionsTipsSearch input google-search SearchSearch jobsDigital ArchiveGuardian LicensingAbout UsWorldEuropeUS newsAmericasAsiaAustraliaMiddle EastAfricaInequalityGlobal development Donald Trump in the Oval Office flanked by the vice-president, JD Vance, left, and secretary of state, Marco Rubio. On the right is the DRC’s foreign minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner. Photograph: Yuri Gripas/EPAView image in fullscreenDonald Trump in the Oval Office flanked by the vice-president, JD Vance, left, and secretary of state, Marco Rubio. On the right is the DRC’s foreign minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner. Photograph: Yuri Gripas/EPAGlobal developmentLobbyists linked to Donald Trump paid millions by world’s poorest countriesSomalia, DR Congo and Yemen among states forced to sign deals and barter their minerals for aid or military support

About this contentMark TownsendThu 10 Jul 2025 01.00 EDTLast modified on Thu 10 Jul 2025 01.01 EDTShareSome of the world’s poorest countries have started paying millions to lobbyists linked to Donald Trump to try to offset US cuts to foreign aid, an investigation reveals.