Bush Administration Continues Africa Push
February 20, 2002
On February 14, 2001, U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick began an
eight-day visit to sub-Saharan Africa, where he met with senior African
government officials, private-sector leaders, students and other members of
civil society to discuss ways to expand U.S.-Africa trade and promote economic
prosperity throughout the region. Zoellick's visit highlights the growing trade
relationship between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa, and underscores
President Bush's commitment to U.S. economic relations with the region. Zoellick
visited Kenya, South Africa and Botswana.
Zoellick emphasized five areas of importance for his trip and U.S.-Africa
relations:
strengthening the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the
overall trade relationships
encouraging the development of African structures and capabilities to
participate in, and benefit from, global trade, including assistance to
build trade capacity
advancing common objectives in the new global World Trade Organization (WTO)
negotiations launched at Doha last November
hearing Africans' perspectives on exploring the possibility of free trade
agreements with South Africa and the members of the Southern African Customs
Union, and
learning more about and highlighting the contributions of trade to
economic development and to overcoming poverty in Africa