In a renewed push to bolster U.S.-Africa relations, former U.S. President Donald Trump hosted a high-level working lunch with leaders from Gabon, Senegal, and three other African nations at the White House. The closed-door summit focused on expanding commercial opportunities, reinforcing diplomatic relations, and responding to China's growing footprint across the continent.
According to White House sources, the roundtable was framed as a “strategic partnership dialogue,” emphasizing mutual economic benefits in trade, infrastructure, energy, and private-sector collaboration. President Trump reiterated his administration’s desire to engage African nations as “partners, not patrons,” and stressed the U.S.’s long-term interest in unlocking Africa’s vast economic potential.
This mini-summit comes as part of Washington’s broader recalibration of its Africa policy, aiming to counteract China’s deepening economic investments and infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. Analysts note that this marks a symbolic and strategic shift toward greater engagement, especially as African leaders continue seeking diversified investment sources..
Key participants included President Macky Sall of Senegal and President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema of Gabon. The discussions also touched on regional security, governance, and innovation in agriculture and technology.
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