Why Trump is meeting 5 African Presidents

The US President has invited the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal to Washington this week. Experts suggest that there will be more on the agenda than just commercial opportunities.

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"A White House official explained last week that 'President Trump believes African countries offer incredible commercial opportunities that benefit both the American people and our African partners,'" says DW's Washington correspondent, Ines Pohl.

"In a recent update, Trump highlighted the vast commercial potential of African nations, suggesting stronger economic ties could be mutually beneficial. However, his administration hascut back on US foreign aid to Africa, viewing it as wasteful and incompatible with his "America First" agenda. Instead, the focus is shifting toward trade and investment, particularly in West Africa's critical minerals sector and regional security."

Why these five countries?

Trump's approach to Africa appears to have evolved since his first term. During a White House meeting on 10 January, 2018, he famously referred to Haiti and several African countries as "shithole countries."

"We recall those harsh words, but things have changed," says Suleymane Bachir Diagne of Senegal, who teaches and researches at Columbia University in New York City. "Africa is now on the radar of the Trump administration. The continent is recognized as a place to make deals." But if Trump's agenda truly centers on deals and “America First,” why invite the presidents of these five relatively small economies? “It’s surprising," Diagne says.

What role do natural resources play?