Trump Hosts Five African Presidents in Washington as U.S. Shifts From Aid to Trade

By Dr. Michael Omoruyi | iNewsAfrica

Washington, D.C. – July 10, 2025 — In a bold diplomatic gesture signaling a new era of U.S.-Africa relations, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted five West African presidents at the White House this week, unveiling a sweeping plan to replace foreign aid with trade and investment incentives.

The leaders of Liberia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Gabon, and Mauritania met with Trump for closed-door talks that focused on economic cooperation, migration policy, and access to natural resources. While framed as a strategic pivot, the summit comes amid mounting criticism over the abrupt termination of several U.S. aid programs across the continent.

“We’re not just giving handouts anymore — we’re building partnerships,” Trump declared in remarks after the meeting, touting what he called a “New African Trade Pact” built on private capital, infrastructure deals, and energy access.

Liberian President Joseph Boakai emerged as a central figure during the visit — not only for his poise during policy exchanges, but also for an awkward exchange that has since gone viral. Trump, in an apparent attempt to compliment Boakai, asked:

“Where did you learn English so well?”
An amused Boakai responded calmly, reminding the president that English is Liberia’s official language — a legacy of the country’s founding by freed American slaves in the 19th century.

The remark drew backlash on social media, with critics calling it emblematic of Trump’s cultural ignorance. But African leaders downplayed the moment, preferring to focus on outcomes.

Key Takeaways from the White House Meeting:

• Trade over Aid: Trump confirmed that U.S. foreign aid would be scaled back dramatically and replaced with direct investment opportunities, especially in agriculture, energy, and mining.

• Deportation Demands: Trump urged the African nations to accept more deported migrants from the U.S., citing rising immigration pressures and the need for “safe third country” agreements.

• Resource Diplomacy: Discussions also covered U.S. access to African lithium, cobalt, and rare earth minerals, which are crucial for electric vehicle and AI industries.

This marks Trump’s second high-level engagement with African leaders in just two months. In May, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the Oval Office to confront Trump over controversial comments about land reform and farm attacks — a meeting that underscored tensions, but also opened channels for trade talks.

While some observers view Trump’s “America First, Africa Rethought” doctrine as transactional and self-serving, others say the continent is long overdue for more commercially grounded partnerships.

“If the U.S. can deliver investments with fewer strings attached, this could be a turning point,” said Dr. Fatou Sarr, a Senegalese political analyst.

As African nations continue to navigate global power shifts between the U.S., China, Russia, and the EU, this White House visit could mark a defining chapter in the continent’s geopolitical rebalancing.

iNewsAfrica will continue to monitor the outcomes of this high-stakes summit and what it could mean for Africa’s economic sovereignty and U.S. foreign policy going forward.