AN EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF TRUMP’S IMPACT ON US–AFRICA RELATIONS AND ON SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY IN THE US AND AFRICA

The report argues that President Donald Trump's early presidency was marked by a lack of interest in Africa, a disregard for multilateralism, and leadership traits reminiscent of autocrats, which strained US–Africa relations. It highlights the risks posed by proposed budget cuts to foreign assistance, the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, and the erosion of democratic norms. However, it also suggests that domestic resistance to Trump in the US and a push for greater African self-reliance could lead to a democratic reconsolidation and more resilient partnerships.

• President Trump showed significant disinterest in Africa during his first eight months, failing to issue specific policies for the region or make senior appointments for African affairs.
• The 2018 Budget Blueprint proposed sharp reductions in foreign assistance to developing countries, specifically targeting programs that support human rights, democracy, and good governance.
• The US withdrawal from the 2015 Paris Agreement and the cancellation of funding for the Green Climate Fund pose severe risks to Africa, which is highly vulnerable to climate change.
• Trump's leadership style, characterized by a preference for 'strongmen' over institutions and a disregard for the rule of law, is viewed as mirroring the traits of African autocrats.
• There is a significant decline in confidence in the US presidency across several African nations since Trump's inauguration, with the sharpest drops seen in Senegal, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria.
• The report identifies a 'democratic deficit' in the US, where rising disillusionment with institutions and the rise of demagoguery may lead to 'deconsolidation' of democracy, potentially impacting democratic movements in Africa.
• Despite the administration's direction, career foreign service officers and military leadership (Africom) have emphasized continuity in security cooperation and the potential for trilateral cooperation with China in Africa.
• The report suggests that Trump's actions may inadvertently push African nations toward greater national and regional self-reliance and integration.

APA

STREMLAU, J. J. (2017). AN EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF TRUMP’S IMPACT ON US–AFRICA RELATIONS AND ON SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY IN THE US AND AFRICA. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/An-early-diagnosis-of-Trumps-impact-on-US-Africa-relations.pdf

Chicago

STREMLAU, JOHN J. AN EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF TRUMP’S IMPACT ON US–AFRICA RELATIONS AND ON SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY IN THE US AND AFRICA. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2017. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/An-early-diagnosis-of-Trumps-impact-on-US-Africa-relations.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=STREMLAU |first1=JOHN J |title=AN EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF TRUMP’S IMPACT ON US–AFRICA RELATIONS AND ON SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY IN THE US AND AFRICA |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=October 2017 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/An-early-diagnosis-of-Trumps-impact-on-US-Africa-relations.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stremlau2017early, author = {STREMLAU, JOHN J}, title = {{AN EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF TRUMP’S IMPACT ON US–AFRICA RELATIONS AND ON SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY IN THE US AND AFRICA}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2017}, month = oct, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/An-early-diagnosis-of-Trumps-impact-on-US-Africa-relations.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }