President Trump’s “America First” approach has given Beijing the green light for exploitative intervention around the world. The U.S. has done little to address Beijing’s ambitions and, in many cases, Trump has worsened relationships with allies through derogatory comments, foreign policy gaffes, and the ongoing trade war.
If the U.S. would like better deals and relationships, Trump needs a different approach. On Monday, his meeting with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta would be a good place to start.
The meeting between the two leaders is expected to focus on trade and security – areas where the two countries have many shared priorities from increasing trade, to building infrastructure to combating violence in Somalia.
Despite these points of agreement, Kenya has, in recent years, increasingly looked to Beijing rather that Washington.
Beijing’s policies have brought incredible investment across the African continent, including to Kenya. Chinese investment dollars have financed power plants, railways and even access to television in the country. That’s a big deal, as China looks to develop communications and transit networks across Africa, creating new markets for Chinese goods and giving Beijing greater regional control.
Although these projects have not been without criticism, the U.S. has done little to push back against China’s heavy-handed investments.
Citizens have complained that the projects have threatened the nation’s national parks, which are home to some of the most biodiverse environments in the world. Others have criticized China’s importation of its own labor force – providing jobs and salaries for Chinese brought to the country but doing little to support the local economy or build long term stability. China has also used its own communication networks, such as StarTimes, which has lowered the cost of television access to broadcast state propaganda.
Perhaps most worryingly, China owns more than 70 percent of Kenya’s debt – including that for rail project that cost one-fifth of Kenya’s annual budget and will leave generations in debt. That could offer Beijing influence over the country’s policy and orientation on the world stage.
Already, Taiwan, the self-governing island claimed by Beijing, has accused Kenya of working in tandem with Beijing in deportations of Taiwanese citizens to the Chinese mainland from the east African country. This indicates that Kenya, in part because of its relationship with China, is becoming a reliable ally of Beijing – at the expense U.S. foreign policy interests.
Underscoring China’s interest in engagement with Kenya and other African countries, in early September, Kenyatta will be in Beijing for the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation which will be presided over by Chinese President Xi Jinping. As indicated by the BRICS summit, hosted in South Africa earlier this summer, China views the continent as a key part of its bid to solidify its position as a global player — a position that would come at the expense of U.S. dominance.
U.S. policy is far from perfect, but Trump’s meeting with the Kenyan president is a good opportunity both to reassure our ally of our commitments and also provide an alternative to Beijing’s growing influence. A world under the charm of Beijing’s authoritarian investments costs the U.S. strategic allies, trading partners, and international support. Short on friends and eager to counter China, Trump would do well to bolster bilateral relations with Kenya.
