By Ncaba Ntshakala
Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, speaking on behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III, the Queen Mother, and the people of Eswatini, expressed warm congratulations to Donald Trump on his election as the 47th President of the United States.
In an official statement, Dlamini extended Eswatini’s best wishes to Trump and the American people, emphasizing the desire to deepen the existing bonds of friendship and cooperation between Eswatini and the United States.
“On behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, the Government, and the People of the Kingdom of Eswatini,
it is my great pleasure to extend our sincere congratulations to His Excellency President Donald Trump on his successful election as the 47th President of the United States of America,” Dlamini stated.
“As the United States of America gathers to celebrate and plan, may I also reaffirm Eswatini’s desire to further enhance and consolidate the bonds of friendship and cooperation that exist between our two Nations.
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The Kingdom of Eswatini wishes the absolute best of health, happiness, and prosperity to the People of the United States of America.”
The American billionaire previously served as the 45th U.S. President from 2017 to 2021, a term characterized by major policy shifts and a focus on America-first strategies.
His administration’s agenda centred on policies like tax reform, efforts to renegotiate trade deals, and a focus on domestic job creation.
Trump also emphasized tightening immigration policies and reducing international engagement in favour of prioritizing U.S. interests.
During his first term, Trump initiated sweeping changes to U.S. trade policy, including renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and instituting tariffs on imported goods, particularly from China, to reduce the U.S. trade deficit.
His “America First” approach brought both praise and criticism, with supporters arguing that it protected American workers, while critics contended that it damaged relations with some long-standing allies.
On the international stage, Trump was known for his unique approach to diplomacy, favouring direct talks with leaders from countries like North Korea.
His administration’s policies aimed to recalibrate the United States’ role in international organizations, including efforts to withdraw from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement, only for these decisions to be reversed under his successor.
U.S – Eswatini relations strong
The United States and Eswatini have maintained strong diplomatic ties, characterized by cooperation on various issues.
The U.S. has provided development aid to Eswatini through programs like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has been crucial in supporting HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment efforts.
This initiative has had a profound impact on Eswatini, which has made remarkable progress towards the global targets for treatment and viral suppression, surpassing the 2025 UNAIDS 95-95-95 goal.
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As of 2021, 94 per cent of adults 15 years and older living with HIV are aware of their HIV status in the country.
Through PEPFAR, Eswatini has received resources for healthcare infrastructure, awareness campaigns, and patient support, contributing significantly to the country’s public health goals.
Additionally, Eswatini benefits from trade opportunities under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a U.S. program that grants eligible African nations duty-free access to the U.S. market for certain goods.
This has allowed Eswatini to export products like sugar, textiles, and apparel to the U.S., which has enhanced support to local industries and stimulated job creation.
