In a significant move to strengthen economic ties between the United States and Africa, US President Donald Trump hosted the presidents of five African nations at the White House on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. The meeting brought together leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal, who sought to leverage partnerships with the US to develop their countries’ vast natural resources.
The African leaders emphasized their nations’ rich resources, including rare earth minerals, oil and gas reserves, and raw materials like manganese, uranium, and iron ore. These resources, they noted, hold immense potential for driving economic growth and development, but require investment and partnership to unlock their full potential. President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema of Gabon highlighted that his country is not lacking in natural resources, but rather in the capacity to develop them, making American partnership crucial.
During the meeting, Trump expressed his administration’s commitment to fostering economic partnerships with African nations. He emphasized that Africa offers substantial commercial opportunities that could benefit both the US and its African partners. The US president noted that his administration is shifting from a charity-based model of international aid to one that invests in mutually beneficial opportunities, advancing American interests while promoting African development.
The meeting is part of the US government’s efforts to counter China’s growing economic influence in Africa and to secure critical minerals and other natural resources for American businesses. The invited countries, all located along Africa’s Atlantic coast and rich in natural resources, offer US companies opportunities to shorten supply chains and tap into emerging markets.
The discussions between Trump and the African leaders focused on trade and development cooperation, with the US president highlighting the potential for “win-win” economic partnerships. The African leaders, in turn, showcased their nations’ abundant natural resources and expressed their desire for partnerships that would support their development goals. By working together, both sides aim to unlock the economic potential of these resources and drive growth and prosperity.
