Trump Hosts Five West African Leaders Amid Trade Tensions, Aid Cuts

President Donald Trump hosted leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal at the White House for a mini-summit focused on expanding U.S. trade and investment in Africa amid escalating trade tensions and cuts in foreign aid. The administration aims to prioritize commercial partnerships over traditional aid, emphasizing access to critical minerals and natural resources essential for technology and industry, while countering China's growing influence on the continent. This shift includes dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development, which critics warn could result in millions of deaths due to reduced humanitarian aid, particularly impacting countries like Liberia that have heavily relied on U.S. support. Discussions also touched on economic development, security cooperation, and infrastructure, with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation supporting projects such as a potash mine in Gabon. However, notable African economies like Nigeria and South Africa were excluded from the summit, possibly reflecting strategic choices focused on mineral-rich but smaller nations. The meeting took place against a backdrop of Trump's broader trade policies, including tariff increases and potential travel bans affecting several participating countries, highlighting a complex and sometimes contentious U.S.-Africa relationship.