How Africa should negotiate with Trump

Africa's choice: Why the US must rethink its strategy to compete with China

In a revealing interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi offered a blunt assessment of America’s declining influence in Africa. Tshisekedi noted that China’s dominance on the continent is not necessarily the result of Beijing’s growing power, but rather a symptom of America’s retreat. His observation is backed by clear data: in 2000, the United States was Africa’s largest trading…

How Africa should negotiate with Trump

By Vera SONGWE & Witney SCHNEIDMAN In a recent interview, Fox News anchor Bret Baier asked Félix Tshisekedi, the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, how his government would balance continued ties with the United States – including the negotiation of a critical-minerals deal – with its deepening relationship with China. The DRC president responded that China’s influence is not so much “waxing” in Africa as America’s influence is “…