The Diasporan Perspective

State Department's Acting Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Troy Fitrell lays out a six-point trade engagement plan with the continent.

Fitrell said the US for too long has prioritized economic development over commercial engagement. A champion of the kind of commercial diplomacy favored by Trump, he laid out the US engagement strategy with Africa is "to increase US exports and investment in Africa, eliminate trade deficits and drive mutual prosperity". The US has a six-point plan for boosting US trade and investment in Africa in cooperation with the business community to finally reverse decades of stagnation during which Africa has accounted for less than 1% of US trade, he said:

1. Make commercial diplomacy the core focus of US-Africa engagement. All US ambassadors in Africa will be evaluated on how effectively they advocate for American businesses and the number of deals they facilitate.
2. Work with African government partners in priority countries to implement the top five market reforms identified by the private sector, including tariff and non-tariff barriers.
3. Implement key sustainable infrastructure projects in priority countries, unlocking private capital.
4. Have the State Department lead more commercial diplomacy trips, such as his current Cote d'Ivoire visit.
5. Connect a greater share of the 300,000 export-oriented US businesses to the African continent.
6. Reform US trade promotion initiatives to take on greater risk and more quickly and efficiently support American businesses.

State Department's Acting Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Troy Fitrell lays out a six-point trade engagement plan with the continent.

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