Blinken Wrapped Up Africa Tour With a New Softer, More Conciliatory Message About Competition With China

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves as he boards his plane at Dakar Blaise Diagne International Airport in Dakar, Senegal on Saturday, after concluding a five-day trip to Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal. Andrew Harnik / POOL / AFP

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned home on Saturday after wrapping up a three-nation, five-day tour of Africa with stops in Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal.

Throughout the trip, Blinken sought to reassure his African hosts, and stakeholders across the continent, that the United States would do more to elevate Africa in its overall foreign policy. At the same time, he also went out of his way to downplay perceived competition with China.

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by Eric Olander

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