President Joseph Nyuma Boakai returned to Liberia empty-handed after attending the US-Africa summit in Washington, D.C., where he met with President Donald Trump. Many diplomatic observers have characterized his appearance at the summit as an awkward and disappointing event. The summit, hosted by President Trump, brought together leaders from five African nations: Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal. The primary objectives were to strengthen diplomatic relations, advance economic initiatives, and enhance security cooperation between the United States and these African countries.
Critics have noted that President Boakai appeared to struggle with an inferiority complex during the event. When President Trump condescendingly complimented Boakai on his “beautiful English” and inquired about his language skills, the Liberian leader seemed to shrink under the scrutiny. Adding to the discomfort, he repeatedly addressed Trump as “Yes, Sir” throughout their interaction, eliciting a collective cringe from many Liberians.
The situation did not improve upon Boakai’s return to Liberia, as he came back empty-handed, with no commitments from the U.S. regarding trade or aid. The same is not for Gabon, as the country emerged from the summit with a significant investment deal valued at $500 million from the Millennial Potash Group. This agreement involves the operation of the Mayumba potash deposit, with plans to produce an impressive 800,000 tonnes of fertilizer annually and create 975 direct jobs. Gabon’s President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema expressed his country’s enthusiasm for strengthening economic ties with the United States, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, energy, and local development.
Boakai has also been criticized for providing conflicting remarks, praising China’s comprehensive mineral resource survey while requesting a similar survey from the US during the summit with Trump. In 2025 January, the president stated in his annual address that his government received a comprehensive mineral resource survey report from China, which provides new insights into Liberia’s mineral potential. This survey, conducted over five decades after the last comprehensive investigation, the president said. When reporters confronted him upon his return from Washington, questioning the apparent inconsistency of seeking American assistance for a survey he had earlier commended the Chinese for, President Boakai quickly denied that the Chinese had conducted a comprehensive minerals survey despite clear video and text evidence from his own Annual Message in January.
