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Trump asks Liberian president where he learned English, his country's official language

UNITED STATES, JUL 9 – Trump's surprise at Liberian President Boakai's English sparked debate amid discussions on shifting U.S.-Africa relations from aid to trade, with Liberia receiving 2.6% of its GNI from U.S. aid.

  • At a White House luncheon with leaders from Africa, President Donald Trump expressed surprise and complimented Joseph Boakai, Liberia’s president, on his proficiency in English.
  • The praise followed Trump's apparent surprise at Boakai's fluency despite English being Liberia's official language and the country's founding by freed African-Americans.
  • Boakai replied politely that he learned English in Liberia, while Liberia's Foreign Minister explained that the remark was not intended to offend and reflected the historical linguistic connections between Liberia and the United States.
  • The exchange caused mixed reactions, with some Liberians viewing Trump's remark as patronizing, while the Trump administration defended it as a compliment.
  • This incident highlights ongoing sensitivity about Western perceptions of Africa and Liberia's historical ties to the US, suggesting diplomatic nuances in US-African relations.
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News.de broke the news in on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
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