Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has finally received an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump for a summit.
According to reports, Boakai is one of five African leaders invited to the summit in Washington, D.C., scheduled to take place in early July.
An analyst told Liberia Public Radio that Liberia is expected to present its challenges to the U.S. President. However, a source close to Washington, D.C., indicated that Liberia should be prepared for a potential exchange involving its natural resources. On several occasions, President Trump has made requests for natural resources, such as minerals, in return for U.S. government assistance. Liberia is rich in natural resources, including iron ore, with some resources currently untapped.
Rare Earths Mineral
A key focus of the summit is anticipated to be economic cooperation, particularly concerning critical minerals. Liberia and Gabon, both resource-rich nations, are seen as having significant strategic value. Reports suggest that the U.S. aims to expand economic agreements across Africa, especially in sectors vital for global supply chains.
The timing of this invitation is significant. Just last week, Trump signed a major minerals agreement with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is being promoted as part of a broader U.S.-mediated ceasefire in the volatile Great Lakes region.
The deal has been framed as both a diplomatic breakthrough and a strategic move in the U.S.-China competition for global mineral access.
“We’re acquiring a lot of mineral rights from Congo,” Trump told reporters following the agreement, adding that African nations provide “incredible commercial opportunities” that benefit both the U.S. and its African partners.
Similar to the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal, Washington’s strategy appears to integrate diplomacy with investment, seeking long-term stability in mineral-rich regions while ensuring access to resources critical for the U.S. economy and national security. This approach aligns with the Trump administration’s emphasis on commercial diplomacy over traditional foreign aid—a sentiment echoed by U.S. Ambassador Mark Toner during an event celebrating the 249th anniversary of America’s independence in Monrovia.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Toner stressed that the United States is entering a new phase of engagement with Africa—one that views nations like Liberia as equal partners in trade and investment.
