Ethiopia Becomes Second African Country to Meet Trump in Second Term

Ethiopia has become the second African country to hold an official diplomatic meeting with U.S. President Donald J. Trump since the start of his second administration, following in the footsteps of South Africa, whose president met with Trump in May.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting was described as a “formal diplomatic welcome”, reaffirming the long-standing bilateral ties between Ethiopia and the United States. “The meeting marks the beginning of many future discussions,” the Ministry noted, underscoring the “limitless” potential for strengthened cooperation in peace, security, and economic development.

Ambassador Benalf, who served previously as Ethiopia’s Minister of Peace, was appointed as Special Envoy and Full-Plenipotentiary Ambassador to the United States in November 2024.

The meeting comes on the heels of a Washington Post report indicating that Ethiopia is among 36 countries under review for new U.S. travel restrictions. Citing an internal memo signed by Secretary Rubio, the report said countries have been given a 60-day window to meet specific benchmarks or risk facing partial or full travel bans.

Concerns outlined in the memo include visa overstays, unreliable identity documentation, and the absence of a “competent or cooperative” central authority. Ethiopia was listed alongside 24 other African nations, prompting criticism that the proposed restrictions could disproportionately affect the continent.