Trump Hosts African Leaders at the White House to Discuss Economic Partnerships and Compete with Chinese and Russian Influence
In a new initiative to strengthen economic ties with the African continent, U.S. President Donald Trump is set to welcome five African presidents to a summit at the White House from July 9 to 11. This marks the first major initiative directed towards Africa during his second term.
The White House confirmed that the summit will include the presidents of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal. Discussions will focus on transitioning from traditional aid to a new model based on “mutually beneficial trade partnerships.” According to U.S. officials, President Trump believes that Africa presents vast economic opportunities that can benefit both sides.
This initiative is part of a new approach announced by the U.S. administration, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which links American support to tangible economic agreements. This strategy aims to “transition from charitable aid to economic sustainability,” with U.S. embassies in the region reassessing their roles based on their ability to attract investments and establish trade agreements.
Key topics of the summit are expected to include Africa’s strategic natural resources, such as lithium, cobalt, and rare minerals, due to their importance for the technology and clean energy industries in the United States. This move comes amid efforts by Washington to curb the growing influence of China and Russia on the continent.
The summit follows a successful American mediation that resulted in a ceasefire agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. It also sets the stage for a broader U.S.-Africa diplomatic meeting planned for September during the United Nations General Assembly, signaling a deeper American engagement in Africa based on shared interests.
