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US Planning to Close Embassies in At Least 6 African Nations: Reports  Firstpost Africa

US Planning to Close Embassies in At Least 6 African Nations: Reports Firstpost Africa

First Post21-04-2025

US Planning to Close Embassies in At Least 6 African Nations: Reports | Firstpost Africa | N18G
US Planning to Close Embassies in At Least 6 African Nations: Reports | Firstpost Africa | N18G
New reports reveal that the Trump administration is considering closing nearly 30 U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide — with many located in Africa. The move is part of a sweeping shake-up at the State Department, driven by the Elon Musk-backed Department of Government Efficiency, with a focus on shrinking federal operations. In Africa, embassy closures are being considered in Eritrea, Gambia, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, and South Sudan. In South Africa, the U.S. may shut its consulate, while diplomatic missions in Somalia could face downsizing — despite their critical role in counterterrorism efforts. Closures are also on the table in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom — but in Africa, the impact could be far more profound. Watch this video for more.
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'Corrupt and politically motivated': Trump-pardoned Proud Boys sue government for $100 million, allege persecution of political allies
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'Corrupt and politically motivated': Trump-pardoned Proud Boys sue government for $100 million, allege persecution of political allies

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'Nobody—neither us, nor our customers, nor our overseas supplier—is in any position to do any long-term thinking." The Fed aggressively raised rates in 2022 and 2023 to combat inflation. But the U.S. economy was insulated because many households and businesses had already refinanced at ultralow rates during the pandemic. Later, the economy benefited from an unexpected boom in capital spending on artificial intelligence. Any pullback could be abrupt. 'It's very rare that you have a technology shock of this sort that doesn't lead to overbuilding," said Jason Thomas, chief economist at private-equity manager Carlyle Group. Some companies have held back from raising prices now until they can see how tariffs settle out. 'They just said, 'We cannot take the risk of souring relations with our customers, with our suppliers, over a policy that in two months' time may not even be in place,'" Thomas said. He expects businesses eventually will have to pass along some cost increases, however, because they will have depleted inventories acquired at pretariff rates. One tailwind—recent declines in energy prices—could help offset some of the inflationary impulses from tariffs. While the president often gets undue credit for what goes right or wrong in the economy, this time could be an exception. 'The economy has a lot of momentum, and so if Trump truly backs off on tariffs and just calms down, you could see this expansion going another two, three years, honestly," said Thornberg of Beacon Economics. 'Then again, if he keeps rocking the boat, you can blow it up by the beginning of next year."

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