Trump's pivot from aid to trade leaves Africa wary as it faces tariffs and uncertainty

When U.S. President Donald Trump met five African leaders in Washington in July, his lack of familiarity with the continent was on display. He praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai’s English – Liberia’s official language – and gestured at another leader to wrap up remarks. But the bigger takeaway was Trump’s pledge to transform U.S.-Africa relations: a shift from aid to trade, even as the region reels from steep tariffs and sweeping aid cuts.