U.S. President Donald Trump has not invited President Bola Tinubu to his upcoming meeting with leaders from five African nations in Washington D.C next week.
According to a White House official, Trump will host leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal for discussions on commercial opportunities, along with a lunch at the White House on July 9.
The official stated that “President Trump believes that African countries present significant commercial opportunities that benefit both the American people and our African partners,” while explaining the rationale behind the meeting.
Earlier reports indicated that the Trump administration would hold a summit for these five countries in Washington from July 9-11.
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The Trump administration has significantly reduced U.S. foreign aid to Africa as part of a strategy to cut spending deemed wasteful and inconsistent with Trump’s “America First” policies.
The administration aims to concentrate on trade and investment to foster mutual prosperity.
On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. would move away from what he described as a charity-based foreign aid model, instead prioritizing nations that show both the capability and willingness to support themselves.
In May, Troy Fitrel, a senior official in African Affairs, mentioned that U.S. diplomats in Africa would be evaluated based on the commercial agreements they secure, highlighting a new approach to support on the continent.
