President Donald Trump told a group of West African leaders on Tuesday that he would like to visit Africa “at some point,” despite never traveling to the continent in an official capacity.
Speaking during a meeting with leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal, Trump highlighted commercial opportunities and reaffirmed his “trade, not aid” approach.
Trump’s guests, facing 10% tariffs on exports to the United States, expressed hopes of negotiating those rates down. Several praised the president’s leadership, calling him a “peace-maker” and even suggesting he deserved a Nobel Peace Prize.
In return, the leaders emphasized their countries’ strategic value, highlighting resources such as rare earth minerals and their roles in migration and maritime security.
The gathering marks Trump’s most direct diplomatic engagement with African leaders since returning to the White House.
