United States losing ground, ceding economic opportunities in trade with Africa – Sen. Coons

Senator Chris Coons. PHOTO/Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images

Delaware lawmaker says the United States ignores trading opportunities in Africa at its peril.

Democratic Senator Chris Coons, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, says the United States is “losing ground and ceding economic opportunities” regarding trade in sub-Saharan Africa.

Senator Coons is calling for a comprehensive strategy to increase economic engagement with Africa. Recommendations in a report he will release on Thursday are designed to prod the Obama administration, Congress and businesses to strengthen trade relations on the continent.

“The Chinese are pouring so much in terms of investment into the continent, particularly with infrastructure, I don’t think we have 10 years to gradually wake up to the competitive situation we face,” Coons said during a Wednesday interview. “This is one of the single-greatest economic opportunities in the world, and our competitors are seeing it and seizing it before we are.”

China is focused on infrastructure projects and is outpacing the United States in selling goods to Africa by nearly 3 to 1.

Seven of the fastest growing economies in the world are located in Africa.

Read more: USA Today