Trump’s description of large swaths of the globe, including the entire continent of Africa, as “shithole nations” whose citizens should be excluded from the United States has triggered international condemnation.
The latest response comes in the form of an extraordinary statement issue by the African Union, a group of 55 African countries.
The African Union called Trump’s comments “outrageous, racist and xenophobic” and demanded a “retraction and apology.” The group also said it was “concerned at the continuing and growing trend from the US administration towards Africa and people of African descent to denigrate the continent and people of color.”
The entire communiqué was published online by Samantha Power, the former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, who said it was completely unprecedented.
Whoa. I’ve never seen a statement like this by African countries directed at the United States. After an emergency mtng today @UN, Africa group says it “is extremely appalled at…outrageous & xenophobic remarks” attributed to Trump & “demands a retraction and an apology.” pic.twitter.com/5KkdwppUzL
— Samantha Power (@SamanthaJPower) January 13, 2018
Experts believe Trump has permanently damaged the United States standing in the world. “I don’t think this will just blow over. I think it fundamentally poisons the relationship with numerous countries,” Peter Lewis, director of African Studies at Johns Hopkins University, told CNN.
As a candidate for President, Trump promised to make American “respected in the world again.” It is not going well.