Chair of Politics, Governance, and Economics at the School of International Service at American University, Professor Carl LeVan, has issued a stark warning about the potential consequences of the President Donald Trump administration’s focus on trade deficits, stating that it could significantly harm Africa-US relations.
In a compelling interview during the Toyin Falola Interviews broadcast on Sunday, LeVan underscored the broader economic implications of this trade-first policy, stressing its possible negative effects on Africa, the US, and their evolving diplomatic ties.
LeVan pointed to the alarming decline in trade between Africa and the United States, which fell from $9.2 billion during President Biden’s tenure to just $6 billion during Trump’s first term in office. “This sharp decrease in trade volume signals serious concerns not just about economic exchanges but about the sustainability of US policies that affect the African continent, particularly the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA),” LeVan stated.
“The reduction in trade has broader ramifications, and it raises questions about whether these policies can continue to support mutually beneficial partnerships, especially in the face of Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda.”
The interview, with the theme “President Trump and Africa”, was moderated by Professor Toyin Falola and included distinguished panelists such as Christopher Isike, Kingsley Makhubela, and Ayisha Osori. The event was streamed live across a range of social media platforms, television channels, and radio stations, attracting an audience that included heads of government, policymakers, academics, and the general public. This global visibility underscored the significance of LeVan’s insights on the changing dynamics of international relations.
LeVan elaborated on the key issues that could arise from the Trump administration’s trade focus, particularly the implications for Africa.
He explained that the focus on trade deficits might not only undermine US trade relationships with African countries but also destabilize the established trade framework under AGOA, a cornerstone of US-Africa economic cooperation. “While AGOA was meant to create equitable trade opportunities, the current direction in US foreign policy could reverse those gains,” LeVan warned.
In addition to trade concerns, LeVan noted that President Trump’s policies had also led to notable reversals in diplomatic engagement, particularly regarding Africa. One such shift was the cancellation of Biden’s diaspora advisory council, a body designed to engage with African communities and advocate for their interests. LeVan acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the council’s future, expressing concerns about the erosion of diplomatic channels that had been instrumental in fostering African-American relations.
LeVan also pointed to Trump’s controversial immigration policies, including the significant reduction in student visas and the infamous attempt to ban Muslim immigration, as signs of a deeper disconnect between the US and the global community.
“These actions were poorly executed from a legal perspective. They led to protracted court battles and revealed that the administration’s executive orders often lacked the necessary standard legal frameworks, further complicating America’s relationship with the rest of the world,” he noted.
Another central theme of LeVan’s analysis focused on the broader economic landscape. He explained that, while President Trump’s administration had prioritized protectionist trade policies—such as imposing tariffs—those policies resulted in unforeseen consequences.
“There was an overwhelming number of tariff exemption requests—over 50,000. This flood of requests, resulting from special interests and lobbying groups, further entrenched elite power in Washington,” LeVan argued. “These developments, in turn, detract from the democratic process and shift political and economic power away from the broader public, hurting US democracy and, by extension, its relationship with African nations.”
LeVan also took aim at Trump’s foreign policy approach, noting a stark departure from the traditional isolationist stance often associated with earlier US administrations. He criticized the administration for adopting a more imperialistic posture, with echoes of the rhetoric of former President William McKinley, whose foreign policy was defined by military expansionism.
“This shift from diplomatic engagement to military assertiveness risks damaging the United States’ global standing,” LeVan said. “Rather than engaging with global partners to foster stability, Trump’s administration seemed more focused on undermining international norms, which is deeply concerning for countries in Africa that are dealing with their own security and economic challenges.”
LeVan’s concerns about the broader implications of Trump’s foreign policies were particularly relevant to Africa. He referenced the growing military presence of the United States, including the deployment of troops to the Mexican border, as indicative of the administration’s belligerence. “When 10,000 US troops were sent to the southern border, it raised alarms not just within the US but globally,” LeVan noted. “For African nations, this kind of military expansionism could lead to further destabilization in regions like the Sahel, where the US has been involved in counterterrorism operations for years.”
Furthermore, LeVan warned that the evolving US foreign policy, driven by a focus on tariffs and military posturing, could complicate African efforts to address the region’s security challenges. “The ongoing instability in the Sahel, exacerbated by terrorist organizations and militant groups, requires international cooperation. However, the increasing militarization of US foreign policy could pose a challenge to collaborative efforts to combat these threats,” he said. “Africa must think strategically about how to navigate these complexities and ensure that it doesn’t fall victim to the shifting power dynamics between the US and other global actors.”
LeVan’s analysis paints a worrying picture of the future of US-Africa relations under President Trump’s administration. His insights reveal the dangers of an “America First” trade policy that risks undermining Africa’s economic growth and development while also straining diplomatic and security cooperation. As African nations continue to tackle economic and security challenges, LeVan’s remarks underscore the importance of maintaining a nuanced and balanced approach to foreign relations, one that fosters collaboration rather than isolation.
