The United States government became the second-largest shareholder in an Australian mining company last week. If there’s a compelling case to gamble taxpayer money like this, the Trump administration hasn’t made it. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation announced plans Wednesday to convert a $31 million loan to Syrah Resources, which operates a graphite mine in Mozambique, into a 20 percent equity stake. “In today’s era of global competition, economic security is national security,” said Ben Black, the head of the federal agency. There may be a case for limited government intervention to guarantee the supply of certain inputs into products crucial for national security.

Source: Washington Post March 29, 2026 01:47 UTC