Friday, July 4, 2025 - U.S. President, Donald Trump will host leaders from five African nations in Washington next week to explore what the White House described as “commercial opportunities.”
The meeting, set for July 9 at the White House, will include
discussions and a lunch with leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia,
Mauritania, and Senegal, according to a White House official.
“President Trump believes that African countries offer
incredible commercial opportunities that benefit both the American people and
our African partners,” the official said, explaining the motivation behind the
gathering.
Earlier reports by Africa Intelligence and Semafor indicated
the Trump administration would hold a broader summit with these countries from
July 9 to 11.
Under Trump’s leadership, the U.S. has significantly cut
foreign aid to Africa, arguing that much of it is wasteful and does not align
with his “America First” agenda. Instead, the administration says it aims to
prioritize trade and investment that foster mutual prosperity.
On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored
this shift, announcing that Washington was moving away from what he called a
charity-driven aid model and would instead support nations that show “both the
ability and willingness to help themselves.”
Troy Fitrel, a senior official in the Bureau of African
Affairs, said in May that U.S. diplomats on the continent will now be evaluated
based on commercial agreements secured, outlining it as the cornerstone of
America’s new engagement strategy in Africa.
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