White House hosts West African leaders to discuss trade and development

President Trump met with leaders from five African nations—Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal—at the White House to discuss business opportunities, economic development, security, and infrastructure. Trump praised Africa’s natural resources and highlighted recent peace efforts on the continent. While the five countries are unlikely to face US tariffs, concerns remain over US trade policies and visa restrictions, which African officials criticize as harmful. The US also announced funding for a mining project in Gabon. This meeting is part of ongoing US efforts to strengthen ties with Africa amid growing Chinese influence, Al‑Jazeera has reported. Meanwhile, recent cuts to US foreign aid have raised concerns about their potential impact on African health outcomes.