Zambia suspends negotiations on US health and minerals agreements over terms and data demands

Zambia has suspended negotiations with the United States on multi-billion dollar deals for health services and critical minerals access, citing unacceptable US demands. The Foreign Minister stated that the US health agreement worth up to $2 billion over five years stalled over data-sharing requirements that Zambia says would violate citizens' rights, while the minerals deal faced delays due to US insistence on preferential treatment for American companies. Zambia also objects to the US conditioning the health deal on conclusion of the minerals agreement.