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Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi Urges Administration to Counter China's Growing Influence in Africa

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, the ranking member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party, has called on the administration to convene the Presidential Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA) to counter China's growing influence on the continent. In a letter to the Acting Under Secretary for International Trade at the Department of Commerce, Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi emphasized the importance of using tools such as PAC-DBIA and trade missions to strengthen American commercial engagement with Africa. He noted that China far outcompetes the United States on trade with Africa, with bilateral trade exceeding $280 billion and 52 African countries trading more with China than the United States.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi urged the administration to convene the Presidential Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA) to counter China's growing influence on the continent.
  • The United States faces significant competition from China in Africa, with China's bilateral trade exceeding $280 billion, four times that of the United States.
  • 52 of 52 African countries trade more with China than with the United States, highlighting the need for the U.S. to provide a meaningful alternative.
  • Previous American initiatives have successfully advanced U.S. business and commercial interests in Africa.
  • Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi requested a briefing on the Administration's plans to revitalize U.S.-Africa economic policy, including an update on the status of PAC-DBIA.
  • He also requested a written response regarding the Commerce Department's assessment of PRC activity in the region and whether it will commit to undertaking a trade mission to the continent.

Statistics:

  • China's bilateral trade with Africa exceeds $280 billion, four times that of the United States.
  • 52 of 52 African countries trade more with China than with the United States.
  • Previous American initiatives have successfully advanced U.S. business and commercial interests in Africa.

Sources:

  • U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party.
  • Semafor, "Democrat China Hawks Are Pushing for an Obama-Era Business Council in Africa".

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