A member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Riley Moore, has criticised China’s reaction to former President Donald Trump’s warning of possible military action in Nigeria, calling it unwarranted interference in U.S. foreign policy.
Moore’s remarks came after China condemned Trump’s statement, which the former president said was aimed at protecting Christians facing persecution in Nigeria.
Responding to Beijing’s position, Moore accused China of trying to influence American decisions, insisting that Washington’s policies would not be dictated by a communist regime.
He said: “President Trump is absolutely right to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering horrific persecution and even martyrdom for their faith. China will not dictate our foreign policy to us, and we will not be lectured by a Communist autocracy that arrests Christian pastors and detains ethnic minorities in concentration camps.”
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, had earlier asserted that Beijing, as Nigeria’s strategic partner, opposed any nation using religion or human rights as a pretext for interference or threats of sanctions and force.
The exchange marks another flashpoint in the growing tensions between Washington and Beijing, reflecting their rivalry over global influence.
While China, under President Xi Jinping, has expanded its presence in Africa through trade and investment under the principle of non-interference, U.S. influence has declined in recent years due to aid cuts, tariffs, and internal political divisions.
Meanwhile, ECOWAS and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitment to Nigeria’s sovereignty and stability, urging international support for regional efforts against terrorism and insecurity.
