U.S. President Donald Trump will host leaders from five African nations at a White House lunch Wednesday to discuss "commercial opportunities," a White House official said last week. Trump will host leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal, West African nations that have been hit by his aid cuts.

President Donald Trump welcomed leaders of five African nations, hailing the continent’s economic potential as his administration seeks to expand US access to critical minerals and other natural resources.

President Trump hosted leaders from Gabon, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Senegal to discuss economic development, security, and democracy. The meeting follows shifts in US aid policy toward partnership models and reflects growing concerns over China’s expanding military and economic influence in Africa,