According to sources close to President-elect Donald Trump, his advisers will be advocating for a US-Africa policy focused on “deals and deterrence,” marking a shift from Biden’s progressive approach.
Trump’s second term is expected to prioritize transactional diplomacy, combining pro-business deals with measures to curb conflicts across Africa.
Why it matters
- Trump’s approach is set to reverse some of Biden’s pro-LGBT policies in Africa, aligning instead with evangelical Christian interests. This is particularly relevant in countries like Uganda, which has faced global backlash for its anti-gay laws.
- There’s also a push for “guns diplomacy,” with some insiders eyeing African diplomatic posts for game-hunting opportunities in eastern and southern regions.
Zoom out
- Trump’s first term was defined by controversy over his dismissive comments about Africa, yet it also saw moves to counter China’s growing influence, such as the establishment of the International Development Finance Corporation with a doubled budget.
- Analysts like Cameron Hudson from the Center for Strategic and International Studies suggest Trump’s new policy aims to “crowd out competitors” through aggressive deal-making, underlining Africa’s strategic importance in global geopolitics.
The bottom line
Trump’s renewed focus on Africa signals a blend of business pragmatism and cultural conservatism, setting the stage for a sharp pivot in US-African relations.
Source: Semafor
