Washington D.C., USA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has made a plea for more American investment in Liberia’s enormous mineral resources. The Liberian leader made the call when he joined a select group of African leaders at a submit hosted by U.S. President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday, July 9.
President Boakai seized the opportunity to highlight Liberia’s longstanding relationship with the United States and to advocate for a more robust commercial engagement based on reciprocal benefits during his remarks at the high-level event.
President Boakai stated that the United States has a longstanding friendship with Liberia. “We support your strategy of restoring America’s greatness and work closely with you in your diplomatic efforts to foster business cooperation and economic growth.”
Prseident Boakai called for U.S. help for a geological investigation into Liberia’s mineral resources and commended the Trump administration’s increased emphasis on Africa. “What we would want to see as close associates, is the chance to do a mineral survey,” he added.
The West African country of Liberia, which was established by freed slaves who returned from the United States, has sometimes referred to itself as America’s oldest friend on African soil.
Boakai’s fluency clearly pleased President Trump, who praised his remarks asking, “Good English, where did you get your great speech, and where did you get your education?” Trump inquired.
Highlighting his administration’s transition from providing aid to promoting trade in Africa, the U.S. president stated that “we are moving away from help, or aid as we sometimes refer to it, and toward commerce. I’ve been able to resolve many of these conflicts on the basis of trade.”
