In brief
Infrastructure projects are at risk as the U.S. opts for trade deals over financial aid.
In Abidjan, Ivory Coast, a bustling city notorious for its heavy traffic, a new overpass promises to ease daily commutes, handling an impressive 120,000 vehicles. For years, local residents saw reminders of American support through billboards that proclaimed, "Financed by the American people." But the mood has shifted significantly since President Trump slashed U.S. foreign assistance, casting uncertainty on ongoing infrastructure ventures. Construction crews are racing against the clock to complete the overpass, worrying that funding might be cut before their work finishes. The new U.S. strategy prioritizes trade deals rather than traditional financial aid, with Troy Fitrell, a top State Department official, stating, "Trade, not aid, is now the pillar of our policy in Africa." During a recent business summit in Abidjan, American and Ivorian businesses inked deals to provide drones for the agriculture and mining sectors, demonstrating an immediate pivot in focus.Trump’s approach has significantly altered decades of U.S. involvement in Africa, reducing the budget of the U.S. Agency for International Development and imposing tariffs that threaten free trade agreements with various African nations. The U.S. aims to enhance its trade footprint in a continent forecasted to host a quarter of the world’s population by 2050, despite the fact that countries in Sub-Saharan Africa only make up 1% of U.S. trade.
