Expert warns Trump’s trade policies neglect African economy, highlights risks of isolation

On Monday, January 27, 2025, Professor Carl LeVan, a well-known political economist, raised alarms about what he sees as the neglect of Africa in President Donald Trump’s trade policies.
LeVan expressed concern about the exclusion of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) from Trump’s “America First” agenda. Speaking during the Toyin Falola Interviews, he emphasized how important AGOA is for Africa-U.S. economic relations.
LeVan, who chairs Politics, Governance, and Economics at the American University in Washington, DC, warned that sidelining Africa could have serious consequences. He pointed out that U.S.-Africa trade dropped significantly under Trump’s leadership, from $9.2 billion during the Biden administration to just $6 billion in Trump’s first term.
The professor also criticized Trump for pulling out of the Biden administration’s Advisory Council on the African Diaspora, a move that he believes signals a decline in America’s commitment to African partnerships.
“Africa has increasingly turned to countries like China for trade as the U.S. shows less interest,” LeVan noted. “This decline reflects a lack of prioritization of Africa in U.S. trade policies.” He added that Trump’s focus on reducing trade deficits, imposing tariffs, and targeting countries like Spain with high tariffs also hurt U.S.-Africa relations.
LeVan highlighted how Trump’s policies, such as withdrawing from the Paris Accord and promoting fossil fuels, have deepened the challenges for African countries already struggling with the impacts of climate change.
He cautioned that Trump’s approach could leave African nations isolated at a time when international partnerships are crucial to addressing issues like climate change, trade inequality, and security.
“Africa’s growth shouldn’t depend on aid, but on building strong, sustainable trade relationships,” LeVan said. “Neglecting AGOA and weakening U.S. trade policy will hurt both African economies and America’s standing in the world.”