US-Africa Relations: Impacts Of US Policies

On July 9th, US President Donald Trump hosted leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal at the White House for a three-day mini-summit centered on “commercial opportunities.” The event, highlighted by a lunch in the State Dining Room, signaled what Trump described as a shift from aid to trade, stressing Africa’s “great economic potential” and rich natural resources such as minerals and oil.

While some hailed the conference as a bold move to reposition Africa in global trade, others argued that it was overshadowed by Trump’s tariff hikes and immigration policies, which continue to create uncertainty for African economies.

Analysts note that this meeting, viewed as a prelude to a larger US-Africa gathering, reflects Washington’s intention to pivot from aid dependency toward trade and investment, particularly in resource-driven sectors. However, questions remain about how sustainable this shift will be, and whether it truly benefits African nations or simply aligns with US commercial interests. The broader debate now is whether Trump’s strategy marks a genuine reset in US-Africa relations or risks deepening economic imbalances under the guise of partnership.