African News
Trump to Host Leaders of Five African Nations for Trade-Focused Summit
US President Donald Trump will welcome leaders from five African nations to the White House next week for a summit aimed at boosting trade and investment, a White House official confirmed Wednesday.
Presidents from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal are scheduled to meet with Trump on July 9 for discussions and a working lunch centered on “commercial opportunities.”
“President Trump believes that African countries offer incredible commercial opportunities which benefit both the American people and our African partners,” the official said.
The summit, first reported by Intelligence and Semafor, will run from July 9 to 11 and marks a shift in US-Africa relations under Trump’s second administration. The White House has sharply reduced foreign aid to African countries, replacing what officials call a “charity-based”model with a focus on trade-driven partnerships aligned with Trump’s “America First” agenda.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced the new approach on Tuesday, saying the US will prioritise support for African nations that show “both the ability and willingness to help themselves.”
Troy Fitrel, head of the State Department’s Africa bureau, said US envoys on the continent will now be evaluated based on commercial deals struck, rather than development assistance outcomes a clear signal of the administration’s new strategic direction.
