Zambia joins the list of African countries rejecting the U.S. strings-attached health funds
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US, Congo Sign $1.2B Health Deal Amid Data Concerns
Is the Congo health deal historic American leadership or shameless exploitation of African nations?
Above: U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with the DRC President Felix Tshisekedi in Washington, DC, on Dec. 4, 2025. Image credit: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
The Trump administration’s $1.2 billion Congo health deal signals assertive American leadership in global health, building on PEPFAR’s record of saving 26 million lives while advancing core U.S. interests. The America First model cuts waste and ideological spending, pushes partner nations to invest more in their own systems, and tightens oversight of taxpayer funds. Strengthened disease surveillance protects Americans from emerging threats while expanding access to breakthrough tools like twice-yearly HIV prevention drugs that could help end AIDS by 2030.
Anti-Trump narrative
The Trump administration's health deals amount to exploitation, pressuring African nations to surrender sovereignty over sensitive health data and mineral resources in exchange for aid that is lower than past commitments. Countries like Zimbabwe and Zambia are pushing back against agreements demanding 25-year pathogen data access without benefit-sharing while tying life-saving services to mining concessions. These transactional arrangements hold health systems hostage, risking disruption of HIV treatment for millions if governments refuse Washington’s extractive terms.
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© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0