President Donald Trump signaled a bold shift in U.S.-Africa relations during a White House summit Wednesday, telling West African leaders that the era of handouts is over and trade, not aid will define future partnerships. As sweeping U.S. aid cuts take effect, Trump made clear that nations showing “both the ability and willingness to help themselves” will benefit from stronger economic ties.
“We have closed the USAID group to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse,” Trump said. “And we’re working tirelessly to forge new economic opportunities involving both the United States and many African nations.”
Leaders from Mauritania, Senegal, Liberia, Gabon, and Guinea-Bissau praised Trump’s peace efforts, especially for helping broker a deal between Rwanda and Congo, which also allowed U.S. access to critical rare earth minerals. “We have a lot of opportunities to offer in terms of investment,” said Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.
Trump emphasized trade as a tool to promote peace, declaring, “You guys are going to fight, we’re not going to trade. And we seem to be quite successful in doing that.”
The president’s tough-love message resonated. Even Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai, whose country stands to lose the most from USAID’s closure, “expressed optimism” and praised Trump’s leadership.
