The U.S. has already negotiated 28 international health agreements, most of them with African countries. Washington is refusing to disclose their full terms, triggering a widespread backlash, the Washington Post reported on Monday, according to a report by RT. 

These deals are part of an "America First" overhaul of foreign health assistance, led by the State Department following the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development last year. A report cited State Department figures saying signed agreements under the new model so far cover $12.7 billion in US assistance and require partner countries to invest $7.8 billion.

The secrecy appears to be a cause for concern, as analysts say that it looks like the U.S. is attempting to use health assistance in exchange for access to the minerals it wants.

Deals involving Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Ethiopia were published online in March before allegedly being removed. Washington later stated that the documents were posted in error and would be republished once all negotiations were concluded.

In Zambia, a deal had been expected in December, but talks reportedly led to "political pressure" amid claims that Washington was attempting to use the health package as leverage in separate negotiations over critical minerals to challenge China's dominance in the sector. – RT

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