Monrovia – As U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to curb China’s international affect by means of tariffs and hard rhetoric, a storm is brewing over a controversial rail deal in Liberia involving Ivanhoe Atlantic (previously HPX). The deal, critics declare, is being pushed by parts inside the U.S. State Division in a way that contradicts American strategic pursuits—doubtlessly handing affect over essential mineral routes to Chinese language-linked entities.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
One among Trump’s outspoken allies, Laura Loomer, took to social media to lift the alarm, tagging high-profile Republican figures together with Secretary of State Marcus Rubio and Senator Ted Cruz. Loomer reposted an investigative article by The Floridian headlined: “Trump’s ‘Golden Age’ at Danger? Professional-China Deep State in State Dept Accused of Undermining America’s Pursuits. CCP-backed Corporations May Sabotage U.S. Provide Chains.”
The article claims that some U.S. State Division officers are pressuring the Liberian authorities to approve a rail concession that might take away ArcelorMittal as operator of the Yekepa-to-Buchanan railway and grant entry to Ivanhoe Atlantic, a newly rebranded firm with reported hyperlinks to Chinese language corporations.
Ivanhoe Responds to Strain Claims
In response to inquiries from FrontPageAfrica, Ivanhoe Atlantic denied any inappropriate involvement by U.S. officers.
“Ivanhoe Atlantic, like many U.S. corporations working in overseas jurisdictions, has Business Advocacy Standing below U.S. tips and is appropriately supported by the U.S. Embassy. However, no U.S. Embassy employees or U.S. Authorities official was ever a celebration to negotiations with the Authorities of Liberia,” the corporate stated in an announcement.
Controversial Shift in Technique
Slightly than investing in new infrastructure, Ivanhoe is accused of pivoting its technique towards having access to ArcelorMittal’s current, absolutely operational railway—an asset the Luxembourg-based metal big has invested over $800 million to assemble and modernize. Based on report, ArcelorMittal presently employs about 3,200 People throughout Alabama, Ohio, and Texas, and has spent $100 million in U.S.-made tools for its Liberian operations up to now yr alone.
In contrast, Ivanhoe, which operates primarily in Guinea, has made no comparable funding in Liberian infrastructure. The corporate’s efforts to hyperlink Guinean mines to Liberian rail and ports, amid current Chinese language railway and port entry offers in Guinea, have raised alarms in each Monrovia and Washington.
Critics say if Ivanhoe positive aspects management of Liberia’s railway, it may present Chinese language-backed corporations entry to strategic Atlantic ports, additional increasing China’s attain throughout West Africa—the place it already holds mining strongholds in Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
“Ivanhoe can be in joint ventures with Chinese language mining corporations within the DRC. In some ways, Ivanhoe pursuits and Chinese language pursuits are one and the identical,” stated a U.S. official conversant in the scenario.
Confusion and Secret Deal Signing in Monrovia
In Liberia, the scenario has been marked by confusion and secrecy. On Saturday, July 5, regardless of being a non-working day, the Authorities of Liberia introduced plans to signal the Concession and Entry Settlement with Ivanhoe and invited media to the ceremony on the Nationwide Funding Fee (NIC).
Nevertheless, upon arrival, reporters have been barred from getting into the constructing and advised to attend. After a number of hours, officers bizarrely knowledgeable the press that no signing would happen. The identical scene repeated on Sunday, once more with no media entry—although reviews emerged that the deal was signed behind closed doorways.
Sources say the Boakai administration is break up over the settlement. Mollay Kamara, President Boakai’s Senior Financial Advisor, has publicly expressed reservations concerning the deal, whereas others inside the authorities are stated to be supportive.
Who Owns Ivanhoe? Questions Linger Over Chinese language Hyperlinks
Ivanhoe Atlantic, primarily based in Delaware, was previously often known as Excessive Energy Exploration (HPX) and rebranded in December 2024. It was based by Canadian billionaire Robert Friedland, who additionally owns I-Pulse, Inc., the bulk shareholder of Ivanhoe Atlantic.
Based on The Floridian, Friedland personally owns 12.08% of Ivanhoe Mines, Ltd., whereas Zijin Mining Group (primarily based in Hong Kong) owns 12.23%, and China CITIC Financial institution Company (primarily based in Beijing) holds 22.33%. Notably, 50.77% of the corporate’s possession stays undisclosed, additional fueling suspicions of hidden Chinese language state involvement.
In a latest assertion, Bronwyn Barnes, CEO of Ivanhoe Atlantic, stated:
“We’re delighted to transition to our new Ivanhoe Atlantic identify and branding, which displays our inclusion into the Ivanhoe group of corporations—Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. and Ivanhoe Electrical Inc.”
Ms. Barnes has been lobbying Liberian officers, together with these on the Ministry of State, to fast-track the signing of the settlement forward of President Boakai’s upcoming assembly with President Trump.
Ivanhoe Denies Chinese language Possession
Responding to the considerations, Ivanhoe Atlantic maintains that it’s a U.S.-based firm with no Chinese language state-owned corporations as shareholders.
“Our shareholder register is a matter of public document and may simply be verified,” the corporate stated.
Ivanhoe confirmed that the Concession and Entry Settlement has been signed with the Authorities of Liberia and is now awaiting President Boakai’s approval earlier than being submitted to the Legislature for ratification.
“We sit up for partaking with members of the Legislature as deemed acceptable relating to the phrases of the settlement and its anticipated optimistic affect on the nation’s financial system,” the assertion continued.
The corporate claims the settlement may make Liberia a regional transshipment hub, boosting rail transport, mining, agriculture, and different sectors.
Strategic Stakes
Because the controversy unfolds, Trump allies warn that China’s increasing footprint throughout Guinea, Congo, and now doubtlessly Liberia may give Beijing a strategic edge over the U.S. and its allies in accessing important mineral assets essential for protection, vitality, and tech industries.
“This isn’t nearly a rail line. It’s about who controls the way forward for essential mineral provide chains in West Africa,” a congressional aide advised FrontPageAfrica.
With strain mounting on all sides—from Trump loyalists in Washington to civil society in Monrovia—the Ivanhoe deal might quickly emerge as a defining take a look at of Liberia’s geopolitical alignment and the credibility of U.S. overseas coverage on the continent.
