Donald Trump’s trade war with China is becoming more problematic as China seeks growing relations with the African continent.

Trade between Africa and China has surged from $765 million in 1978 to over $170 billion in 2017, and is soon expected to reach $400 billion. According to the United National Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Report 2018, China was the fourth largest foreign investor in Africa in 2016, spending about $40 billion. China was not too far behind the US, the UK, and France, and its rate of investment continues to grow a lot faster than the US can afford to keep up with.

Meanwhile, not too long ago, Trump was openly calling African nations "shithole-countries".

China is soon to be in "control" of Africa, as I assume that with their numerous investment deal signed by Xi himself in his various trips, he will follow up with military bases in the African nations as well. He has recently built a military base in Djibouti this year, following a huge investment in the country. Smart Move, he is definitely doing the necessary to control the South China Sea, if you look at the world map.

Xi also managed to increase with EU and Russia following the trade war, which gives them better position and relationship globally. Meanwhile, US is generally seen as an international "aggressor" as Trump aggressively pushes leverage a better economical position for America.

Trump seems to be losing to Xi as of now, and maybe this is his plan, maybe not, but it will be interesting to see how this trade war will turn out, and also how Trump will react, as China consolidates its power globally from the Trade war.

Article related to post: https://www.rt.com/op-ed/434245-china-africa-trade-war/

China's base in Djibouti: http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2018/06/27/chinas-djibouti-military-base-the-first-of-many/

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