Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, the recent past representative of the African Union to the United States recently opined on an important issue. She explained the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s “trade, not aid” agenda on African countries. In an interview with Atlantic’s host Steve Clemons, she underscored one major change in focus. This development creates three unforeseen infectious opportunities for African leaders to deepen their economic engagement with the United States.
Chihombori-Quao challenged African leaders to view Trump’s policy as an opening and not an obstacle. They need to take this opportunity and work with us to write fair, equitable, and smart trade deals. She asserted that today’s environment allows for a more level playing trade. This is the opportunity that was denied to Africa in colonial times. This transformation has the potential to place power in the hands of African nations should they take a productive and preventative approach.
“An opportunity that African leaders were not awarded by the colonisers, the European nations, when they set out to exploit the continent of Africa,” said Chihombori-Quao. Her statements shed light on the broader historical context that any current negotiation must be understood within. The former congressman encouraged leaders on all parts of the continent to make the most of this moment, instead of simply looking back on previous wrongdoings.
Chihombori-Quao had a particularly fiery warning for foreign countries. In particular, she called out the Trump administration for attempting to force terms and conditions that would be counter to Africa’s best interests. She warned that African leaders need to stand up for themselves and should not be cowed by the U.S. administration’s hard line approach.
Chihombori-Quao cautions that African leaders must ensure they are attaining beneficial trade deals in the face of Trump’s “America First” agenda. If they don’t, they’ll have no one to blame but themselves. She closed with a call for African countries to speak with one voice. Together, they should plan and align on how to most effectively develop relationships with the U.S. In doing so, they will protect their needs and aspirations from being underrepresented.
The lively conversation unearthed crucial questions about Africa’s current and future place in global trade. It examined how leaders across the continent must respond to a shifting geopolitical environment. As the debate on the direction of U.S. trade policy intensifies, it is imperative that African countries take charge of their own economic fortunes. They need to seize the moment presented by the changing U.S. policy landscape.
