Donald Trump’s win could mean US-Africa ties take a back seat, says Dr Gideon Chitanga
As Donald J. Trump on Wednesday declared early victory in the 2024 US presidential election, which secures his return to the White House, an international relations expert cautioned that the development means uncertainty for Africa-US relations.
In an interview with IOL, researcher at the Centre for Africa China Studies at University of Johannesburg, Dr Gideon Chitanga, said the immediate aftermath will be uncertainty.
Chitanga highlighted that elevating relations with Africa was not on top of the agenda during campaigns for the elections where Trump went head-to-head with current Vice President and Democrats candidate Kamala Harris.
“The immediate aftermath will be uncertainty, until a clear picture of the new Trump Africa policy can emerge. Africa was not a major issue in these elections, and a lot has changed since the last Trump presidency,” said Chitanga.
“However, there is a sense in which Trump will continue with his America first nationalist policies which seek maximal realisation for American interests.”
Chitanga said under President Joe Biden, US foreign policy towards Africa was shifting towards emboldened re-engagement, with Biden still expected to visit Angola before he winds up his tenure.
“I believe Trump’s business interests-driven foreign policy may not prioritise Africa among the many global challenges at play,” said the seasoned academic and international relations analyst.
“However, I expect him to continue with AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act) - not much change in that regard.”
Chitanga said the United States elections happened at a time when Western nations are seeking ways to outpace China in its unprecedented efforts in growing ties with Africa. He added that the Western nations have not shown a coherent plan to court Africa, as Beijing has done.
“Certainly, technocrats in Western capitals are searching for ways to out-compete China in Africa, but they do not have a coherent strategy or plan,” said Chitanga.
“The US is a key partner in the Lobito Corridor Investment, with the EU, in efforts to compete with the Chinese extensive investment in Africa, including over natural resources, particularly critical minerals.
“A trade war between Washington and Beijing could disrupt global trade, both countries are the biggest trading partners with Africa. Trump has said he will impose 60% tariffs on Chinese imports into the USA,” he said.
Trump has thanked voters for electing him "as your 45th president and your 47th president".
Trump, addressing supporters in the early hours of the morning, declared “political victory” and said they had won the popular vote.
Fox News had called the presidency for Trump.
“We all won by the Maga movement,” he said.
IOL