Trump Wants To Talk Business With Africa In Hopes Of Countering China

August 26, 2025

President Trump hosted a working lunch with the leaders of five African nations (Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, and Gabon) at the White House to discuss commercial opportunities and deepen diplomatic ties. Notably absent were Africa's major economies like South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, and Ethiopia, which have connections to BRICS, a group including America's adversaries Russia and China. The meeting focused on potential investments and development of natural resources, with African leaders praising Trump and highlighting their mineral wealth, while analysts describe this as part of Trump's strategy to counter Chinese and Russian influence in Africa through a more transactional approach to foreign relations rather than traditional aid.

Who is affected

The five invited African nations: Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, and Gabon
Major African economies excluded from the summit (South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, and Ethiopia)
African countries facing potential new tariffs from the Trump administration
African migrants attempting to reach the US southern border
Nations previously supported by USAID programs that have been canceled
Countries affected by Trump's travel bans

What action is being taken

The White House is hosting a working lunch with five selected African leaders focused on commercial opportunities
The Trump administration is imposing "reciprocal" tariffs on several African countries with trade deficits with the US
China is softening the impact of US tariffs by halting charges on imports for nearly all its African partners
The US is pursuing a policy shift from traditional aid to commerce-driven engagement in Africa
African nations like Gabon are working to curb piracy in the Gulf of Guinea

Why it matters

The meeting represents a shift in US-Africa relations from aid-based to transaction-based engagement
Trump's approach aims to counter growing Chinese and Russian influence in Africa, particularly regarding access to critical minerals
The five nations invited have significant mineral resources including oil, gas, gold, iron ore, and rare earth elements
The summit signals Trump's focus on "America First" foreign policy with emphasis on strategic investment rather than humanitarian aid
The selection of smaller economies over regional powers demonstrates Trump's preference for engaging countries not aligned with BRICS

What's next

A wider African leaders' summit is mooted by the White House for later in the year

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint