United States : President Trump Hosts African Statesmen

United States President Donald Trump is hosting five African leaders for a “multilateral lunch” at the White House in Washington, D.C. from 9-11 July, 2025. The leaders of Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania and Guinea-Bissau are expected to discuss key areas of cooperation, including economic development, security, infrastructure and democracy, according to press reports. The meeting comes at a time when Trump administration has taken radical steps to reshape the U.S. relationship with Africa. Earlier this month, U.S. authorities dissolved the U.S. Agency for International Development, and said it was no longer following what they called “a charity-based foreign aid model” and will instead focus on partnership with nations that show “both the ability and willingness to help themselves.”
Most experts believe the invitation extended by the Trump administration to these five countries is based on multiple factors. In terms of trade volume with the US, the five countries are relatively minor players. However, all possess significant untapped natural resources: Gabon is rich in oil, manganese, uranium, iron ore, gold, and rare earth elements. Guinea-Bissau holds deposits of phosphates, bauxite, oil, gas, and gold. Liberia has notable manganese and gold...