The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, Feb. 6, edition that President Donald Trump is welcoming Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi this week, highlighting the country's role in expanding U.S. ownership of critical minerals. The Globe's Geoffrey York writes that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a key producer of copper and cobalt. A commercial deal for U.S. access to Congo's mineral resources was linked to this year's U.S.-led peace process between Congo and Rwanda, marking the largest United States-Africa mineral agreement, according to Mr. Trump. China controls an estimated 70 per cent to 80 per cent of copper and cobalt mining in Congo, but Mr. Trump seems determined to break into the sector in a big way. In a separate announcement this week, Mr. Trump officially launched Project Vault, a $12-billion (U.S.) domestic stockpile of critical minerals. Vancouver-based Ivanhoe Mines is in advanced talks to contribute to the U.S. stockpile by providing zinc and other critical minerals from its Kipushi mine in Congo, according to Ivanhoe founder Robert Friedland, who attended the Project Vault announcement with Mr. Trump at the White House on Monday.