Trump To Host Five African Presidents For Strategic White House Talks

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to host the presidents of Senegal, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Gabon for a White House lunch on Wednesday. The gathering, expected to focus on trade, investment, and security, will take place in the State Dining Room, though officials have released few specifics about the administration’s broader agenda.

According to AFP, representatives from the invited nations anticipate discussions around economic cooperation as each country seeks stronger bilateral ties. “Our interest is to look more to trade and engagement partners who will invest,” said Kula Fofana, press secretary to Liberian President Joseph Boakai. Similarly, Gabon’s spokesman, Theophane Biyoghe, framed the visit as an opportunity for “synergies centred around the industrialisation of our economy.”

The meeting comes amid a shifting U.S. foreign policy landscape. Just days earlier, the Trump administration officially shut down USAID, calling it an end to the “charity-based model” and signaling a move toward investment-driven diplomacy. Meanwhile, strategic competition looms large: China and Russia have both deepened their footprints across the region through infrastructure projects and political alliances, including Moscow’s support for the Sahel’s junta-led AES bloc.

Security may also be on the table, especially after Guinea-Bissau recently handed over four convicted Latin American drug traffickers to the U.S. DEA. President Umaro Sissoco Embalo called the visit “very important” for his country, emphasizing the potential for economic advancement. While no press appearances are currently scheduled, the stakes are high as all five nations navigate both the promises and pitfalls of engagement with Washington.