(3 Minutes Read)
Washington has cited “commercial opportunities” as the reason for the mini-summit, lasting from 9 to 11 July. Analysts term this as the first major diplomatic outreach to Africa from Washington since Donald Trump’s return to office.
Five West African leaders are travelling to Washington this week for a meeting with US President Donald Trump. The US President, in a surprising decision, announced in late June that he would host the heads of state of Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania, and Guinea-Bissau for a three-day meeting.
Washington has cited “commercial opportunities” as the reason for the mini-summit, lasting from 9 to 11 July. Analysts term this as the first major diplomatic outreach to Africa from Washington since Donald Trump returned to office.
The five countries invited to Washington have valuable natural resources, including oil, gas, gold, and rare earth minerals. However, they also face considerable challenges such as corruption, authoritarianism, and political instability. Businesses are keenly waiting for the tenor, tone, and outcome of these meetings. There are reports that a larger meeting involving more countries from the continent is scheduled for September.
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https://trendsnafrica.com/us-pledges-support-to-africa-trump-talks-to-ramaphosa-and-kenyatta/
Incidentally, the AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act), which was enacted in 2000 by the US, is set to expire soon. The Act has several features that benefit countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The trillion-dollar issue is whether the US will allow that legislation to expire, roll over, or replace it with another legislation that suits the US.
