Residents of the west Africa nation of Liberia expressed confusion and anger after U.S. President Donald Trump praised the English skills of President Joseph Boakai

English is the official language of Liberia, a country founded in 1822 as a colony for free Black Americans. Government statements are published in standard English while spoken Liberian English reflects influences from pidgin and indigenous languages used across the country of around 5.

The Central Asian nation, rich in critical minerals, is deepening its ties to China but does relatively little trade with the United States.