Professor Carl LeVan, a renowned political economist, has raised serious concerns about what he sees as Africa’s glaring exclusion from President Donald Trump’s trade policies.
Specifically, LeVan has pointed to the omission of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) from Trump’s “America First” agenda as particularly troubling.
The distinguished academic made this revelation during a recent episode of the Toyin Falola Interviews, held on the 27th of January, 2025.
As Chair of Politics, Governance, and Economics at the American University in Washington, D.C., LeVan warned of the potentially grave consequences that could arise from sidelining Africa in the United States’ trade strategy.
He emphasized that AGOA, a critical pillar of Africa-U.S. economic relations, has played a vital role in fostering economic ties between the two regions.
LeVan also expressed alarm at the downward trajectory of U.S.-Africa trade relations under Trump’s leadership.
He noted a stark decline in trade volume, from $9.2 billion during the Biden administration to just $6 billion in Trump’s first term.
Adding to his concern was the dismantling of Biden’s Advisory Council on the African Diaspora, a move LeVan viewed as symbolic of America’s diminishing engagement with the continent.
As Africa looks to diversify its trade partnerships, particularly with China, LeVan underscored that the U.S. appears less invested in maintaining its foothold in the region.
“This decline reflects a lack of prioritization of Africa in U.S. trade policies,” LeVan stated.
Trump’s focus on reducing trade deficits and imposing tariffs, alongside threats of 100% tariffs on countries like Spain, further underscores the administration’s disregard for Africa’s economic significance.
LeVan also pointed to the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord, as well as executive orders that favor fossil fuels over renewable energy, as signals of a reversal in U.S. commitment to global climate action.
This shift, he warned, has particularly dire implications for Africa, where the ravages of climate change are already destabilizing economies and agriculture.
In conclusion, LeVan cautioned that Trump’s inward looking policies risk alienating African nations at a time when global cooperation is essential to addressing critical issues like trade inequality, climate change, and regional security.
“A key takeaway here is that Africa’s economic growth should not be reliant solely on aid but on sustainable, mutually beneficial trade partnerships.
The neglect of AGOA and the fragmentation of U.S. trade policy are damaging not only to African economies but also to America’s standing and influence on the global stage.”