Donald Trump didn’t hide his impatience during a recent White House meeting with West African leaders. A viral video shows him urging them to pick up the pace as they detailed their nations’ natural wealth.

According to DailyMail, Trump hosted leaders from Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania, and Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday, only to grow visibly frustrated during their presentations. He interjected with a polite but firm nudge, saying, “I appreciate it very much. Maybe we're going to have to go a little quicker than this.”

The moment, captured on video, shows Trump turning aside with a sigh as Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani spoke about seawater resources. His hand gestures, interpreted by supporters as a signal to wrap things up, have sparked chatter online among those who admire his no-nonsense style.

Shifting Focus from Aid to Trade

Trump’s meeting wasn’t just about pleasantries; it marked a deliberate pivot in U.S. policy toward Africa. He promised these leaders a shift from traditional aid to a trade-focused relationship, especially timely given recent sweeping cuts to U.S. assistance in the region.

The dissolution of the U.S. Agency for International Development earlier this month underlines this new direction. Trump himself stated, “We have closed the USAID group to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse,” emphasizing a preference for partnerships with nations ready to stand on their own feet.

This approach isn’t charity; it’s a business mindset that resonates with those tired of endless handouts creating dependency. While the leaders praised Trump’s global peace efforts, the real message was clear: mutual benefit over one-way support is the future.

Resources as a Bargaining Chip

Each leader seized the chance to showcase their country’s untapped potential, almost in a competitive display. Ghazouani, for instance, boasted of rare earths, manganese, uranium, and possibly lithium, declaring, “We have a lot of opportunities to offer in terms of investment.”

Trump, in turn, described these nations as “very vibrant places with valuable land, great minerals, and great oil deposits, and wonderful people.” But let’s be honest, the flattery on both sides feels like a prelude to hard-nosed deal-making, not a love fest.

Senegal, Mauritania, and Guinea-Bissau also face challenges like migration and drug trafficking, issues of keen interest to the current administration. These aren’t just trade talks; they’re about aligning priorities on security and stability as much as economics.

Trade as a Tool for Peace

Trump framed trade as more than a financial transaction during the meeting; he sees it as a diplomatic lever. He bluntly told the leaders, “You guys are going to fight, we're not going to trade,” suggesting economic ties could deter conflict.

He also acknowledged lingering tensions, noting, “There is a lot of anger on your continent.” This isn’t sugarcoating; it’s a recognition that prosperity through trade might be a path to calming deeper unrest, a pragmatic take over idealistic promises.

His track record, including efforts to settle a long-standing dispute between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, was praised by the leaders. Yet, the real test will be whether these trade partnerships deliver tangible results or just more photo ops.

A New Chapter or a Missed Opportunity?

Trump’s vision of “great economic potential in Africa” is a refreshing departure from decades of paternalistic aid policies that often yielded little progress. Still, rushing through discussions with leaders eager to partner risks missing the nuances of their challenges and aspirations.

The viral clip of his impatience might play well with fans who value efficiency, but diplomacy often demands patience, especially with nations hungry for respect on the global stage. Balancing speed with substance will be key if this trade-first strategy is to bear fruit.

In the end, this meeting signals a bold, if brisk, reset in U.S.-Africa relations, prioritizing self-reliance over sympathy. Whether it builds lasting bridges or just fleeting headlines remains to be seen, but the stakes for both sides couldn’t be higher.