Comer Launches Probe of Hunter Biden’s Chinese-Backed Cobalt Mine Deal

Hunter Biden facilitated a Chinese company’s purchase from a U.S. company

WASHINGTON—House Committee on Oversight and Reform Ranking Member James Comer (R-Ky.) today launched a probe into Hunter Biden’s involvement in the sale of a cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from an American company to a Chinese company in 2016. Cobalt is one of the most important components of electric car batteries, solar panels and other forms of renewable energy, and the United States is losing a contest to secure the element against communist China.

“The American people deserve answers regarding why the Obama Administration—whether at then-Vice President Biden’s behest or not—watched in silence as an American company transferred control of this precious asset to a Chinese conglomerate and why Hunter Biden was—yet again—involved in international matters on which he has no expertise,” wrote Ranking Member Comer. “In this latest episode, Hunter Biden appears to have profited in the short-term directly from America’s long-term loss.”

According to a recent media report, Hunter Biden facilitated the sale of an American operated cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to a Chinese company in 2016, dealing a severe blow to the United States’ ability to invest in renewable technology. During this time, the Obama Administration was aware of cobalt’s importance to the global economy but did nothing to intervene in Hunter Biden’s Chinese-backed transaction.

“The loss of African cobalt mines to the Chinese is a severe blow to the United States’ ability to invest in green technology and lead the world by example. It is potentially a national security threat, and it was a loss orchestrated in no small part by the President’s son,” continued Ranking Member Comer. “While Hunter Biden might not care that his actions have been a boon to the Chinese and a detriment to the United States’ position of leadership on clean energy, Americans do.”

In the letter to the Archivist of the United States, David Ferriero, Ranking Member Comer calls for all documents and communications from the Executive Office of the President and Office of the Vice President from January 1, 2015 to January 20, 2017 regarding Hunter Biden facilitating the sale of the cobalt mine.

The letter can be found here.