France, Feb. 4 -- Nick Checker, the newly appointed head of the US State Department's Bureau of African, arrived in Bamako on Monday for an official visit, where Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop welcomed him.

The leaders focused theirdiscussions on two main issues: resuming bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fight against terrorism, and strengthening economic and trade relations between Mali and the United States. Trade, not aid

Diop told news agencies that no official statement would be issued concerning Checker's visit, but itcoincides with US President Donald Trump's pivot to a "trade, not aid" foreign policy approach.

Trump has slashed foreign assistance, including dismantling the US Agency for International Development (USA...