“We will follow two simple rules: buy American and hire American,” Donald Trump proclaimed during his inauguration speech in January 2017. This declaration signaled a seismic shift in U.S. foreign policy under Trump’s administration, where “America First” became the guiding principle. The altruistic underpinnings of America’s global partnerships gave way to a hard-nosed, transactional diplomacy where deals were made based on what the United States stood to gain.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel once remarked, “We Europeans must take our destiny into our own hands.” Her statement was a candid reflection on the diminishing reliability of multilateral cooperation with the U.S. under Trump. If Europe is seeking to take her destiny into her hands, then Africa must be interested in taking her destiny into her hands and also triple her effort.
Now that Trump is back on the “throne” maintaining such ideology, what will be the fate of Africa? A continent long dependent on U.S. aid and goodwill now faces pressing questions: Where does Africa fit in a world governed by transactional deals? And what does the “America First” doctrine mean for a dependent Africa?
Adding to these challenges is the ongoing shift in the global energy landscape. Oil, once a critical bargaining chip for many African nations, is becoming less significant as the world transitions to electric and other renewable energy sources. In a transactional world, Africa must consider: What can it offer that is unique and indispensable, especially in a marketplace where traditional resources are no longer a guarantee of leverage.