Ambassador of Ethiopia to the United States, Binalf Andualem, has met President Donald Trump at the House, says the embassy.
On its social media page, the Embassy of Ethiopia in Washington stated that Binalf Andualem, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia to the United States, held “his first meeting with President Donald J. Trump at the White House.”
“He received a formal diplomatic welcome, which reflects the longstanding relationship between Ethiopia and the United States. This meeting marks the beginning of many future discussions.”
The United States and Ethiopia commemorated 120 years of diplomatic relations in 2023 and share mutual interests in promoting peace, stability, and economic development. Accepting the frequent recommendations of the US dominated International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ethiopia introduced economic and political reforms in 2018 to transition the country toward a private sector-led economy and citizen-empowered liberal democracy.
“The potential for a strong partnership in areas such as peace, security, and economic cooperation between the two countries is limitless. Ethiopia and the United States have enjoyed a robust relationship that spans over 120 years. During this occasion, the Ambassador also had the opportunity to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio,” the Embassy posted.
Ethiopia and the United States have strong economic ties, with roughly $1.8 billion in two-way trade in goods in 2022, according to the information on the US State Department website. U.S. exports to Ethiopia are dominated by aircraft, aircraft engines, and parts; and Ethiopian exports to the United States feature coffee, garments, and leather and leather products. Ethiopia lost African Growth and Opportunity Act eligibility in January 2022 due to human rights concerns. Major U.S. companies active in the country include Boeing, Corteva, General Electric, Coca Cola, and several U.S.-branded hotels.
