Africa Should Not Count on the Goodness of Americans’ Hearts Regardless of Who Runs the United States’ Administration

Abstract The world order is shaped by power and strategic relations. Unfortunately for Africa, the continent is so poorly connected and financially and politically weak that it cannot optimally safeguard its interests at a global scale. As such, the United States of America (US) continues to use its overwhelming power, network, and the foreign aid scheme to dictate what happens in Africa, particularly in key areas of security, politics, and economy, regardless of who runs its administration. For example, African countries receive military aid from the US based on their shared interests to fight against terrorism. Such aid includes targeted training that boosts African troops’ professionalism, tactics, and knowledge about international norms. However, even this bilateral gesture is designed mainly to protect the interests of Americans at home and abroad first and foremost. This approach will remain intact with or without Donald Trump as the US president. On the other hand, even if President Trump might be less diplomatic and more vocal, this article argues that any future US administration’s foreign policy will be driven by the fear of Chinese potential control of Africa, particularly with its current attempt to become a dominant global player.