President Donald Trump welcomed the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal to the White House on Wednesday for talks and a working lunch aimed at boosting U.S.–Africa business ties—even as his tariff war and deep foreign-aid cuts rattle the continent.
White House officials said the mini-summit would focus on “concrete investment opportunities.” It is seen as a prelude to a larger Africa gathering that could coincide with the U.N. General Assembly in September, part of Washington’s effort to counter China’s growing economic footprint.
Trump’s tariffs hit several African exporters with levies of up to 10 percent, and aid reductions have slashed health and development funding. A recent Lancet study warned the cuts could contribute to millions of additional deaths by 2030.
On Wednesday the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation pledged project-development support for Gabon’s Banio Potash Mine, citing the deal as proof that trade and investment—not grants—are the pillars of Trump’s “America First” approach. The five invited nations all hold sizable deposits of minerals such as lithium, cobalt, manganese and iron ore—critical to clean-tech supply chains.
Critics, including African Union officials, question how deeper trade can flourish under what they call “abusive” tariff hikes and tightened U.S. visa rules targeting African travelers. Trump’s top Africa envoy, Ambassador Troy Fitrell, insists the administration is simply “leveling the playing field” while opening new markets for U.S. firms.
Trump did not visit Africa during his first term, and accusations of racist rhetoric still linger—stemming from 2018 comments in which he reportedly described some African nations as “shithole countries.” Yet his advisers hope Wednesday’s photo-op will reset perceptions ahead of a possible broader summit later this year.