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Trump's White House meeting with African Leaders sells the shift from "aid to trade"

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump said to leaders of five African countries that he would shift the U.S. strategy from aid to trading and that America is a more reliable partner for Africa than China.

Trump, who shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and cut funding for programs to help Africans hosted leaders from Gabon and Guinea-Bissau as well as Liberia and Mauritania for a discussion on business opportunities in their respective countries.

Trump stated that his administration is committed to strengthening relationships in Africa. He hopes to visit Africa at some point.

He said, at the beginning of a White House gathering: "We are shifting from aid towards trade." There is a great deal of economic potential in Africa. This will, in many ways, be more sustainable, effective, and beneficial over the long term than anything we could be doing together.

African leaders praised the U.S. President for brokering international peace deals and expressed their support for him receiving the Nobel Prize. This shows that, like other foreign leaders they have learned to flatter the former New York Businessman.

Liberian president Joseph Boakai stated that he supports Trump's efforts "to make America great again", a reference Trump's slogan. He also encouraged U.S. investments in his country.

Trump complimented Boakai on his English and asked where he learned it. Liberia is a country founded by former slaves of America, and English is the official language. Boakai claimed to have learned English there.

"We are rich countries. "We are not poor countries. "We need partners who will support us in developing these resources," said Brice Cltaire Oligui Nguema. "You are invited to come and make investments. You might be replaced by another country.

This week's Mini-Summit is the latest attempt by successive U.S. Administrations to counter perceptions that the U.S. has neglected a continent on which China has made increasing economic inroads.

Trump said, "We treat Africa better than China and anyone else anywhere else."

COMPLICATED HISTORIA Melania Trump, Trump's wife, visited Africa during Trump's first term. In 2018, some African politicians branded Trump as a racist after it was reported that he had called immigrants from Africa and Haiti "shithole countries". Trump falsely accused South African President Cyril Ramaphosa of genocide against whites and land seizure during a heated White House meeting in May.

The meeting on Wednesday was not as exciting. Trump joked that after receiving repeated compliments from leaders, he "could do this all day."

Africa experts await Trump's announcement of dates for a larger summit with African leaders. This could be in September, around the time for the United Nations General Assembly.

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation announced earlier that day that it would provide funding for project development at the Banio Potash Mine, Mayumba in Gabon. This will help Gabon to reduce its dependency on imported goods.

Conor Coleman, DFC's head of investments, said that DFC's efforts benefit not only the countries and communities in which they invest, but also U.S. interests by promoting a secure and prosperous world economy, opening new markets and strengthening trade relations. Trump's government has continued to send letters informing trading partners that higher tariff rates will take effect on August 1. It also launched a new front of his trade war with members of the BRICS Group of developing countries.

The Obama administration also cut large swaths from U.S. Foreign Aid for Africa in an effort to reduce spending that it deems wasteful, and to focus on a "America First" agenda.

The Lancet Medical Journal published a study last week that showed these cuts could lead to an additional 14 million deaths by 2030.

The U.S. government has stated that it will prioritize trade and investments over charitable assistance, and focus on increasing opportunities for U.S. companies.

The five countries that were invited all have a wealth of natural resources including gold, diamonds and lithium, as well as manganese. China has made significant investments across the continent, particularly in resource extraction.

African Union officials are questioning how Africa can deepen its trade relations with the U.S., given what they call "abusive tariff proposals" and visa restrictions that primarily target travelers from Africa. Ambassador Troy Fitrell has denied allegations that the United States engages in unfair trade practices. Reporting by Nandita BOSE, Andrea Shalal and Jeff Mason, with additional reporting by Christian Martinez, Matt Spetalnick and Maiye Keidan. Editing by Deepa Babington, Don Durfee and Deepa Babington.

(source: Reuters)