President Donald Trump did not waste any time in signing executive orders to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Agreement. Hey, with billionaire colleague Elon Musk, the USA is trying to discontinue the USA, United States Agency for International Development.
The US has long been a major investor in global health, climate action and development aid. But Trump’s sudden instructions may allow other powers to expand geophysical access by investing heavy in health and climatic initiatives to reverse the status quo, especially all over Africa.
A significant moment – and chance – for the European Union
When Trump’s administration first cut funding in 2020, Germany stepped into the financial difference. The European Union can take a similar approach – but the big question is whether the European Union is ready to play a big role in the future of Africa on health, climate and geopolitics.
For the European Union analyst and commentator, Shada Islam, “Shada Islam,” Shad, told DW.
She says that “there was a tendency to see Washington DC in Europe what they should do.”
She explains, “Whatever happens in the context of global cooperation, the European Union, US, or Canadian era has long gone,” she explains.
“The European Union can only become an important power if it works in collaboration with global South and if it decomposes its policies and functions.”
The European Union’s ambitions are already clear: its objective is to raise € 300 billion in permanent investment in Africa by 2027.
According to Nigeria -based Dukomerze Okreke, who directs the Center for Climate and Development at Alex Aquawem Federal University, says that Europe’s “historical and strategic connection” offers a large scale opportunity to Africa.
“It’s not about saving morality or Africa, it is in the Strategic Economic interest of the European Union to invest in Africa,” he told DW.
European Union progresses
Despite the Bhurajnical bets, the European Commission remains optimistic, spokesperson Giloom Mercere said during the press briefing: “The European Union has a clear strategy to promote smart, clean and safe links in digital, energy and transport sectors, While it is so strong.
The European Union has increased investment across Africa, especially through the Global Gateway initiative. This effort is part of a comprehensive strategy to connect with fellow countries around the world by investing in major areas such as healthcare, clean energy, transport, education and climate action.
However, it took five years after Trump’s first return to the first return to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change Mitigation) to launch the global gateway for the European Union. Meanwhile, China did not waste any time to increase money for climate projects in developing countries. For the Washington -based World Resource Institute, China’s investment was $ 7.12 billion in Climate Finance, which is far from other years.
Today, as many analysts state, China stands as Africa’s largest single-country investor, while the European Union is behind.
And Beijing is either not hesitant at this time. Within the days of Trump’s executive order to withdraw from WHO, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun confirmed China’s support for WHO, promising to deepen international public health cooperation and strengthen global health regime.
Why Trump’s foreign policy made changes for African countries
Trump’s foreign policy shakeup and tariff threats have sent a cold through European diplomatic circles. But for Africa countries, reepertcussions can be more severe.
“The effect of climate change in Africa will deteriorate,” says Okreke, with the African countries in the climate effect, there is already a problem with drought, floods and rising sea levels. In particular, the Paris Agreement may weaken efforts to captivate the global temperature at a significant 1.5 ° C threshold for American exit from the agreement.
The return of Washington from WHO means low penalty for necessary health care programs. The US spent $ 1,284 billion during a period of 2022-2023. With this deficiency, African governments may move to other partners.
US stopped foreign aid
The shuttering of the Trump administration of the USAID has abandoned some Africa-based support programs, which are struggling to find an option to maintain human and development plans.
For the Economic Cooperation and Development Organization (OECD), in 2023, the US had the greatest contributor to international foreign aid among its members, about 64.69 percent of the total contribution was followed by Germany.
“The European Union must take steps,” Okreke is argued, not only for Africa’s health, climate and assistance at this important time, but also “for his own strategic and political influence on the continent.”
Edited by: Cai Nebe
