Commentary: Trump stakes his claims – the USA secures the oil of the 21st century in Ukraine

The USA has controlled the most important oil fields in the Middle East and North Africa since 1974. The petrodollar has guaranteed them a buoyant income ever since. The United States guarantees military protection to oil exporters, in return for which governments agree to reinvest their profits in US government bonds. Heads of state who considered paying for oil in another currency or allowing the proceeds from the sale of resources to benefit their own people did not have much time to try. Saddam Hussein in Iraq and Muammar al-Gaddafi in Libya were the last to try to break out of the system.

The global leadership role of the USA, the Pax Americana, is based on control over neuralgic economic and military points. Washington controls payment processing via the global interbank system Swift, internet exchange points, the most important satellite systems and a network of military bases abroad.

Ukrainian raw materials as part of the US-China strategy

Trump is taking the next step. The USA is securing access to strategic resources in Ukraine. Rare earths are considered the "oil of the 21st century" because they are essential for the production of semiconductors and batteries. Washington has secured extensive mining rights in Ukraine.

But unlike black gold, rare earth metals do not bubble to the surface in Ukraine. There are hardly any precise estimates of the raw material deposits. High initial investments are likely to be required for mining - not to mention that mining can only take place after the war has ended and mines and unexploded bombs have been cleared.

So is it all just a crazy idea from President Gernegroß in the White House? It would not be the first time that Trump has overestimated himself and made economic decisions that did not bring the hoped-for success to the USA. There are certainly smarter solutions to ending the war in Ukraine that would also benefit the USA, such as a civilian investment program.

But the Americans' raw materials deal is part of a long-term geopolitical strategy. The majority of rare earths are in China - America's declared main competitor. Washington is increasingly focusing on economic decoupling from China. The USA is tightening its embargo on high-tech products such as microchips and financial sanctions against the People's Republic, and is militarily arming China's western allies. Beijing has already reacted - including by banning exports of rare earths.

Germany could take advantage of Trump's policies

The USA is securing its access to the Ukrainian prime pieces. The Europeans are lagging behind. It is significant that the EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas travelled to Washington on Wednesday, but her US counterpart Marco Rubio did not assure her that he would receive her.

The transatlantic partnership is increasingly being put to the test. Former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said at the weekend : "There is no American disinterest in Europe because America prefers to turn to Asia and the Pacific, as has been said so often. There is rather a desire to make this Europe subordinate to the USA and dependent on it. I would even speak of an enterprise of subjugation, of an intention to make the Europeans vassals of the USA." The Financial Times even commented: "The USA is now the enemy of the West." While Trump pushed ahead with strong words, the tone in Europe is now also becoming harsher.

But instead of playing the offended party and falling into frantic alarmism, the Europeans should try a strategy. Why not also pursue long-term economic interests and break free from the gentle grip of the Americans?

Europe could rebalance its relationship with China and refuse to accept the American sanctions course in order to secure a trade agreement and the supply of important raw materials. At the same time, the EU could put pressure on Trump, whose phalanx against Beijing would have a dangerously large gap. Diplomatic initiatives towards Kiev and Moscow could also put the Europeans in a stronger negotiating position. Unfortunately, the traffic light coalition has not wanted to hear anything about it for three years, and Friedrich Merz is not making any moves either. This makes it easy for Trump.