LAGOS, Nigeria — This week, the presidents of Senegal, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Gabon are convening in Washington for a three-day mini summit hosted by President Donald Trump.
The White House describes the event as part of a broader initiative to enhance commercial opportunities between the United States and African nations.
While detail about the summit has been sparse, senior U.S. officials indicate that the discussions represent a significant pivot by the Trump administration from reliance on aid toward fostering economic partnerships on the continent.
The leaders are scheduled to join Trump for a White House luncheon on Wednesday, followed by a series of closed economic meetings extending through Friday.
Last month, the administration successfully negotiated a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, which has been interpreted as a precursor to a potential deal involving rare earth minerals.
Given the increasing U.S. interest in crucial resources such as Gabon’s manganese and uranium, analysts suggest that the current summit may be geared toward similar economic deals.
“Trump is transactional — he wants to know what these nations can offer,” noted Professor David Okoye from Nigeria’s Niger Delta University.
The timing of this summit holds significance, as there is rising concern among U.S. officials regarding China’s expanding presence in Africa.
Reports indicate that Beijing is actively scouting strategic port locations along the West African coast, potentially for military purposes.
Cameron Hudson of the Center for Strategic and International Studies emphasizes that the U.S. is closely monitoring Chinese interests in countries like Gabon, Guinea, and Mauritania.
China has maintained its position as Africa’s premier trade and investment partner, and both its economic and military footprint on the continent continues to grow, as is Russia’s.
In contrast, the U.S. military has seen a significant reduction in its presence in the Sahel region, where it had been engaged in counterterrorism efforts for nearly two decades.
Since 2020, military juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have expelled Western forces, including U.S. troops, in favor of aligning with Russian security support.
Amid this complex geopolitical backdrop, discussions regarding aid cuts are likely to overshadow the summit.
Liberia, a long-time recipient of U.S. foreign assistance, has been significantly impacted by Trump’s earlier decision to close USAID, leading to the shutdown of health centers and shortages of essential HIV medication and contraceptives.
Previously, U.S. support accounted for almost 3% of Liberia’s national income — the highest proportion for any nation, according to the Center for Global Development.
Despite these challenges, the Liberian government has sought to present the summit as a platform to discuss “economic and trade opportunities over charity and aid.”
For others, the summit carries personal implications.
Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, facing domestic criticism for delaying elections, hailed Trump’s invitation as a “diplomatic triumph,” pointing to common leadership values.
However, the exclusion of Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana — significant nations and long-standing U.S. allies — from the summit has raised questions.
Some speculate that Nigeria’s growing ties with BRICS may have influenced its absence, as President Tinubu recently attended the BRICS summit in Brazil.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s relations may have been strained due to President John Mahama’s previous condemnation of Trump’s dismissive treatment of the South African leader, which he characterized as “an insult to all Africans.”
The current tensions are heightened by a recent U.S. announcement of a 30% tariff on all South African imports set to start from August.
Professor Paul Agwu from Nigeria’s University of Port Harcourt remarked, “It’s hard to tell why these five countries were picked.
We’ll see what comes out of it — but I doubt it’ll be anything new.”
image source from：npr
