U.S President, Donald Trump
By EZEKIEL OBi, Abuja-
US President Donald Trump is set to host leaders from five African nations – Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal – at the White House on July 9 to discuss “commercial opportunities”.
Notably, Nigeria is missing from the list of invited countries.
This meeting reflects the Trump administration’s shift in approach towards Africa, prioritizing trade and investment over traditional foreign aid.
According to a White House official, “President Trump believes that African countries offer incredible commercial opportunities which benefit both the American people and our African partners.”
This sentiment aligns with the administration’s “America First” policies, which aim to drive mutual prosperity through trade and investment.
The Trump administration has been working to revamp its approach to Africa, with Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Troy Fitrell emphasizing the importance of “commercial diplomacy”.
Fitrell noted that US ambassadors in Africa will be evaluated on their success in facilitating business deals, signaling a significant shift in the US-Africa relationship.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the administration’s new approach, stating that the US will favor nations that demonstrate “both the ability and willingness to help themselves”.
This marks a departure from traditional charity-based foreign aid models, with a focus on self-sustaining economic growth and partnerships.
While this meeting is a significant step, there’s also news of a larger US-Africa trade and investment summit planned for later this year in New York.
This summit aims to further solidify commercial ties between the US and Africa, potentially reshaping the continent’s economic landscape.
