Joe Biden is in Angola for his first-ever bilateral trip to Africa as US president. The two-day visit comes six weeks before he leaves the White House and it’s relevance has been questioned, with all eyes now on the incoming Donald Trump administration.
The focus of talks will be on the so-called Lobito Corridor – a rail link that carries sought-after minerals to ports and thence to Western markets. The US (along with the EU) has invested hundreds of millions into the project, which is widely seen as the West’s way to counter the growing Chinese influence in Africa.
The Lobito Corridor is also touted as Biden’s legacy in Africa. It’s unclear what Trump’s victory in the presidential election means for the project. Some, worried by Trump’s racist disparaging of all things African, fear he’ll pull the plug on the investment. But others think his rivalry with China (which is outcompeting the West – and Washington in particular – with its heavy investment into Africa) means the project is likely safe.
What do you think Trump’s plans for Africa are?
Sources:
https://edition.cnn.com/world/africa/angola-lobito-corridor-railway-impact-spc/index.html
https://www.voanews.com/a/key-chinese-belt-and-road-projects-underway-in-africa/7767507.html
https://www.dfc.gov/media/press-releases/dfc-announces-new-us-financing-africas-lobito-corridor
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241203-biden-kicks-off-two-day-angola-visit