Abuja, Nigeria – June 2025
In a thought-provoking engagement titled “Understanding the Dynamic Shifts in U.S. Trade Policy and the Implications for Global and African Economies,” renowned American communication strategist and former senior advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, Mr. Jason Miller, held a high-level session with policy makers, economists, business leaders, and media professionals in Abuja.
The event explored the evolving landscape of United States trade policy, its underlying political motivations, and the broader ripple effects on emerging markets, particularly across Africa.
Speaking on the current direction of U.S. economic diplomacy, Mr. Miller emphasized a growing trend toward protectionism and national interest-driven trade priorities, which he described as “a recalibration of America’s global economic posture to secure domestic advantage while reassessing long-standing trade relationships.”
He noted that while these shifts may pose challenges for African economies reliant on export-led growth and international trade partnerships, they also present opportunities for the continent to re-strategize around intra-African trade, regional self-sufficiency, and bilateral diversification.
“African nations must understand that the world’s trade landscape is being redrawn,” Miller stated. “Rather than waiting on multilateral deals that may not materialize, Africa should accelerate internal integration through instruments like the AfCFTA and forge smarter, targeted bilateral arrangements.”
The former Trump adviser also addressed communication strategies in political leadership, drawing parallels between trade messaging, national interest, and public trust, underscoring how strategic communication can drive economic narratives and global perceptions.
The session ended with a robust Q&A segment, where attendees engaged Mr. Miller on trade tariffs, digital economy prospects, and the role of African leadership in navigating geopolitical shifts.
The evening was hosted in collaboration with several public policy institutes and diplomatic observers, with a call to action for African stakeholders to adapt swiftly to changing global realities and assert their place in shaping the next wave of economic engagement.
