In December 2020, the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC) regained its preferential trade status with the United States thanks to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a decision made by outgoing President Donald Trump. This law, enacted in 2000, allows sub-Saharan African countries to export to the United States duty-free, thus promoting trade.

However, this trade opening was overshadowed by more coercive actions. In November 2019, Trump excluded Cameroon from AGOA in response to human rights violations under the regime of Paul Biya. This punitive measure illustrates a selective approach to American diplomacy in Africa, where human rights issues are often highlighted in trade decisions.

The U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce, Don Graves, recently advocated for a new fair partnership with African governments, emphasizing that the Biden administration seeks to correct the course after a period of tensions under Trump. According to Graves, "investors have often been disappointed by the lack of transparency and the high corruption that still too often plagues our partner systems."

This desire to reverse the trend should not overshadow the legacy left by Trump. Indeed, his administration has been criticized for its apparent indifference towards Africa, marked by a lack of official visits and a late appointment of an Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. As noted in a previous report by JOURNAL.AFRICA, Trump has often been perceived as ignoring African issues on the international stage.

Relations between the United States and the African continent are complex and evolving. While some measures such as the restoration of AGOA for the RDC may be seen as positive, they are counterbalanced by actions that seem more motivated by geopolitical considerations than by a genuine desire for partnership.