President Trump meets with African leaders

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – President Donald Trump met with the leaders of five African nations on Wednesday for a multilateral lunch.

Trump is hosting leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal for a discussion about business opportunities.

“I would like to let you know that we are delighted to see Trump’s commitment to our continent,” said Mauritania President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.

The West African leaders praised Trump for his efforts to try to foster peace deals around the world and spoke of their hopes for economic development between their nations and the U.S., and touted abundant natural resources in their countries, especially needed minerals.

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye suggested his country also offered investment opportunities for tourism, including a golf course.

Faye said the course would only be a six-hour flight from New York and suggested Trump could visit to show off his skills.

Trump said there was “very valuable land, great minerals, great oil deposits and wonderful people.”

Senior White House officials say the president wants to prioritize trade and investment over charity-based assistance and will focus on creating more opportunities for U.S. firms.

All five countries invited have abundant natural resources, including manganese, iron ore, gold, diamonds, lithium and cobalt, which are essential for use in current technologies.

China has made huge inroads in Africa in recent years, investing heavily across the continent, especially in resource extraction.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.