1 week ago
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Since his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States of America, Donald Trump has been implementing radical policies that continue to stir mixed reactions globally. Donald Trump through his executive orders has succeeded in deporting many undocumented immigrants, increase import tariffs to Mexico, Canada and China. He also stated his country’s withdrawal from the membership of the World Health Organisation (WHO), scrap USAID, an agency that funds and intervenes in health programmes like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria particularly in developing countries including Nigeria. It is estimated that in 2024 alone, Nigeria had received over $2.1 trillion grant from USAID.
Additionally, Donald Trump has made controversial statements such as reclaiming the Panama Canal, make Canada to be the 51st state in the USA and above all sending Palestine to Egypt and Jordan. All these draconian policy statements by President Trump have sparked fears and condemnation.
Yes, Trump is fulfilling his campaign promises tagged “America first”. While there is nothing wrong for President Trump to fulfill his campaign promises to including massive deportation of allies who he repeatedly accused for involving in all manner of crimes against the good people of America, Trump needs to re-evaluate and retrace some of his administration’s negative policies.
For instance, the new tariff imposed on goods and services produced by America on Mexico, Canada and China will have a catastrophic backlash. Those countries which will suffer severe consequences of America’s new tariff will slam same and enforce it against the USA. The increase in tariff will lead to inflation and push more citizens into poverty. Though, President Trump has appealed to Americans to exercise patience as the new tariff is for the collective good of the country, the move will do more harm than good to international trade. The prices of goods and services in those countries will skyrocket and ultimately deplete the purchasing power of their citizenry and by extension the world at large. The decision of Trump to cut off aid to African countries has come like a thunderstorm. African countries have been enjoying grants from the US for decades. The aids which amounted to billions of dollars are meant to combat poverty and diseases. However, these funds have been corruptly embezzled with little to show by the African leaders.
With African countries among the worst hit by Trump policies, health, education and other programmes that require emergency funding are likely to be adversely affected. But how will African countries absorb the shock emerging from Trump’s unexpected August gift? African countries can minimise the effects of Trump’s stoppage of aid by diversifying their funding sources and exploring alternative partnerships. For instance, African countries can reduce their dependence on US aid by seeking funding from other countries, international organisations and private investors. Besides, there is the need to strengthen regional partnerships. Regional economic communities like the African Union, ECOWAS, and SADC can provide a platform for African countries to share resources, expertise, and risk. African countries can focus on increasing domestic revenue through taxation, improving tax administration, and leveraging natural resources.
Moreover, African countries can explore partnerships with other countries in the Global South, such as China, India, and Brazil, which can provide alternative funding sources and technical assistance. African countries should also prioritise critical minerals. Many African countries are rich in critical minerals like crude oil, cobalt, lithium, and nickel, etc. They can leverage these resources to negotiate better trade and investment deals with the US and other countries. By adopting these strategies, African countries can reduce their vulnerability to aid stoppages and promote sustainable economic development.
English (US) ·