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White House Hosts West African Leaders to Discuss Trade, Development

White House Hosts West African Leaders to Discuss Trade, Development
Source: Reuters
  • PublishedJuly 10, 2025

The White House has hosted leaders from five West African nations to advance economic cooperation and development partnerships as part of a broader push to strengthen U.S. engagement with Africa.

President Donald Trump welcomed the presidents of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal for a working lunch and discussions in Washington, focusing on opportunities in trade, infrastructure, and investment.

Trump described the visiting nations as “vibrant countries with valuable resources, great potential, and wonderful people,” assuring them that they would not face new U.S. tariffs as the administration pursues deeper economic ties with the continent.

Key topics included expanding trade channels, promoting democratic governance, and enhancing cooperation in energy and mining sectors. Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema highlighted the need for investment to process the country’s raw materials domestically, emphasizing that African nations seek “win-win partnerships” to develop their resources with international support.

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye pointed to tourism as a major area for potential growth, inviting Trump to visit Senegal to witness the country’s opportunities firsthand.

U.S. officials noted that the meeting is part of ongoing efforts to position the United States as a reliable partner for African nations seeking to diversify their economic ties and infrastructure development, while supporting stability and growth in the region.

The White House indicated that further engagement with African leaders is planned, with a potential U.S.-Africa summit under consideration for later this year to reinforce trade and diplomatic partnerships across the continent.

With input from Al Jazeera

 

 

Michelle Larsen

Michelle Larsen is a 23-year-old journalist and editor for Wyoming Star. Michelle has covered a variety of topics on both local (crime, politics, environment, sports in the USA) and global issues (USA around the globe; Middle East tensions, European security and politics, Ukraine war, conflicts in Africa, etc.), shaping the narrative and ensuring the quality of published content on Wyoming Star, providing the readership with essential information to shape their opinion on what is happening. Michelle has also interviewed political experts on the matters unfolding on the US political landscape and those around the world to provide the readership with better understanding of these complex processes.