U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held a telephone conversation to reaffirm their countries’ commitment to regional stability and economic growth, the U.S. State Department revealed on Monday.
During the call, Secretary Rubio “underscored the need for dialogue and regional stability,” and praised Ethiopia’s ongoing economic reforms, citing them as “a promising foundation for expanded U.S. trade and investment.”
The conversation comes at a delicate moment for U.S.-Ethiopia relations, following controversial remarks by President Donald Trump claiming the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) was constructed with U.S. assistance—an assertion that has sparked backlash in Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia’s GERD Coordination Project Office firmly rejected Trump’s comments. Deputy CEO Fikrte Tamiru, speaking at a press briefing, stated that “not a single cent” of foreign loans or aid has been used in the 14-year-long construction of the dam.
“This project was funded by the blood and sweat of the Ethiopian people and the government. We take pride in our national ownership,” she said.
While the State Department’s statement steered clear of mentioning the GERD controversy directly, analysts suggest the timing of the Rubio–Abiy call reflects Washington’s effort to recalibrate its diplomatic approach in the Horn of Africa—particularly with Ethiopia’s strategic positioning and its influence in regional security dynamics.
Observers note that Ethiopia’s role in Red Sea politics, its peace overtures in Sudan, and its bold infrastructure projects like GERD continue to be key points of engagement for both allies and critics alike.
