President Donald Trump said the United States is moving away from traditional foreign aid models in Africa and will instead focus on expanding trade partnerships across the continent.

“We’re shifting from aid to trade,” Trump said during a White House meeting Wednesday with leaders from five West African nations, Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania and Guinea-Bissau. “In the long run, this approach will be far more sustainable and beneficial for both sides.”

The announcement follows deep cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and comes amid broader efforts to reposition Washington’s global economic strategy. Trump’s remarks signal an intent to replace decades of grant-based assistance with commercial diplomacy, emphasizing private investment and bilateral trade.

The visiting African leaders welcomed the gesture but pressed Washington for tangible commitments and competitive investment to match rising engagement from global rivals.

“We are not poor countries,” said Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema. “We are rich when it comes to raw materials. But we need partners to support us and help us develop those resources with win-win partnerships.” He added, “Our country is open. You are welcome to come and invest. Otherwise, other countries might come instead of you.”

The summit also touched on U.S.-Africa relations amid China’s growing footprint on the continent. Trump didn’t mention Beijing directly but framed the new U.S. posture as a fairer, more durable alternative to debt-heavy foreign involvement. Image