As far-fetched as it sounds, Donald Trump seems eager to host the leaders of five African countries at the White House. His administration views this as a significant opportunity for economic development. The summit will be held over three days. In the process, their counterparts from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal will be attending these leaders’ roundtable dialogues. We’ve gotta get back to #1 and focus on creating better trade partnerships. This move fits well with Trump’s signature policy of “trade, not aid.”
The Trump administration has welcomed such leaders to indicate its pivoting strategy. This strategy intends to strengthen U.S. commercial ties to Africa. Meanwhile, global powers such as China and Russia are increasing their influence in Africa. In turn, the U.S. is hoping to ground its own footing by investing in Africa’s bountiful resources and seeking out new markets for American products and services.
Domestic reasoning aside, from a foreign policy perspective, Trump’s choice of these leaders to invite demonstrates an understanding of the strategic importance of their respective nations. Gabon has one of the world’s largest shares of manganese reserves. Crucial to multiple industries—the production of batteries especially—this mineral has become a hot commodity. Guinea-Bissau as a country has faced significant political turmoil. Today, the country is as hungry as ever for U.S. support and is expecting to soon reopen its U.S. embassy in the capital city of Bissau.
Through collaboration and impactful discussions, the summit’s primary goal is to strengthen economic partnership between countries. It represents a profound shift in U.S. foreign policy towards Africa. Trump has abolished or prevented billions in aid to the continent, calling it a needless expenditure and against his “America First” policy. This new focus on trade is an important piece of the economic growth that’s taking place. It further addresses the increasing global competition coming from other countries that are just as interested in acquiring Africa’s finite resources.
Negotiations on non-FTA issues are likely to include labor rights, environmental protections, and migration policies among other matters. And with Mauritania and Senegal, likely migration issues will at the least be front and center during each country’s initial talks with Trump. And from this point on, General Michael Langley has seen an increasing desire among youth in these countries to emigrate to the U.S. This trend has been a key driver in the shaping of Trump’s immigration policy.
“Let’s not forget that between 2023 and 2025, no fewer than 20,000 young Mauritanians left for the US via Nicaragua, along with hundreds of young Senegalese.” – Gen Michael Langley
Besides migration, politicians from these countries would probably argue for reduced tariffs on products they export to the U.S. Currently, those tariffs are at 10%. Such an economic dialogue might result in win-win arrangements that promote expanded two-way trade and investment.
As we’ve seen with Liberia’s fragile health system, they’ve relied almost entirely on U.S. funding for nearly half their budget. What that reliance looks like will be an important discussion. The country has been weighing proposals to take in people the U.S. deports. This is especially true for those with criminal records.
“Guinea-Bissau has now emerged from a state of disorder to become a real state. The Americans do not invite just any state to their country – only a well-structured state.” – President Umaro Cissoko Embaló
Even with these opportunities, the coming summit can still face pitfalls seen at other palace dealings with Trump. Or take, for example, his previous encounter with South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, where shock and disarray animated their first encounter.
“ Experts know that this meeting will take a lot of diplomacy. Babacar Diagne illustrated the necessity for these reciprocal agreements, stating that U.S.-Africa relations must run both ways, with benefits on both sides.
“Pure trade. It’s give and take, win and win. You sign the agreement on minerals and you’ll have us on your side; otherwise, you forget everything.” – Babacar Diagne
The importance of this summit goes beyond economic self-interest. It is part of a larger pivot toward a new strategy for U.S. engagement in Africa. Analysts contend that Trump is using trade, not aid, to fund the revival of American industries. This strategy pushes back against the increasing clout of other countries like China that are setting up shop across Africa.
Nicaise Mouloumbi underscores the mineral riches of these countries. He argues that they not only have a lot of unique and important resources, including gold, oil, and gas, but those resources are necessary for many U.S. industries.
“All these countries have important minerals: gold, oil, manganese, gas, wood and zircon – Senegal, Mauritania and Gabon, in particular.” – Nicaise Mouloumbi
Trump’s preparing for an unprecedented summit with African leaders. His stated goal is to change the way the U.S. engages with the rest of the continent. He looks to business opportunities, not humanitarian assistance. His broader intent is to make such relationships impenetrable to the lures and threats of other contending global powers.