Trump hosts West African leaders from Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania and Guinea-Bissa amid sweeping US aid cuts

US President Donald Trump will host five West African leaders on Wednesday for a “multilateral lunch” at the White House, while the region cools from the impact of American aid discounts.

The sudden meeting with the leaders of Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania and Guinea -Bissau comes at a time when the Trump administration has taken radical steps he said aimed at reshaping the American relationship with Africa.

Leaders are expected to discuss the main areas of cooperation, including economic development, security, infrastructure and democracy, according to a statement issued by the Presidency of Liberia.

“This debate and lunch were arranged with the heads of African states because President Trump believes that African countries provide incredible commercial opportunities that benefit both the American people and our African partners,” the White House said.

Earlier this month, the American authorities resolved Theu.s. The International Development Agency said that it is no longer following what they called “the external aid model based on the charitable list”, and instead it will focus on partnerships with countries that show the “ability and desire to help themselves.”

The official of the African -American Office, Terrill, said earlier this year that the Trump administration wanted to focus on eliminating the trade deficit with Africa.

“The help involves a donor and a recipient, but the trade is an exchange between equal,” he said.

Critics say the sudden shift will lead to millions of deaths.

A study published in the Lancet Medical Magazine at late last month expected that deep financing discounts at the United States Agency for International Development will lead to more than 14 million additional deaths worldwide by 2030, including 4.5 million children.

West African countries are among the most difficult strikes of the United States Agency for International Development. American support in Liberia reached 2.6 % of the country’s total national income, the highest percentage in the world, according to the World Development Center.

The five countries whose leaders Trump meet are a small part of the United States-Africa trade, but they have unexploited natural resources. Senegal and Mauritania are an important and original countries when it comes to immigration, in addition to that Guinea -Bissau is struggling to contain drug trafficking, both of which are concerned about the Trump administration.

“He expressed optimism about the results of the summit, which gave Liberia’s commitment to regional stability, democratic rule and comprehensive economic growth.”

Gabon, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal out of 36 countries may be included in the possible expansion of the Trump travel ban.