“We will favor those nations that demonstrate both the ability and willingness to help themselves,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
U.S. President Donald Trump returned to Joint Base Andrews on Tuesday after touring a controversial migrant detention center in Ochopee, Florida, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz.”
The trip comes ahead of next week’s White House meeting with leaders from five African nations to discuss trade and investment.
Trump will host the presidents of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal on July 9 for talks and a working lunch.
“President Trump believes that African countries offer incredible commercial opportunities which benefit both the American people and our African partners,” a White House official said.
The administration has sharply reduced foreign aid to Africa, calling past spending wasteful and inconsistent with “America First” policies.
On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. is abandoning a “charity-based” aid model.
“We will favor those nations that demonstrate both the ability and willingness to help themselves,” Rubio said.