(Revise the story released on June 24th to attribute the “win-win” quote from paragraph 10 to another US official)
Colleen Goko
LUANDA (Reuters) – Top US diplomats in Africa on Tuesday dismissed allegations of unfair US trade practices, saying delays in funding would not derail the important railway project linking Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
African Union officials on Monday questioned what Africa called an “abusive” tariff proposal and how Africa could deepen trade ties with the US under tightening visa conditions that primarily target travelers from Africa.
“There is no ban on visits,” Ambassador Troy Fitrell said at a press conference at the US Africa Business Summit in Luanda. He said US consulates continue to issue visas regularly, but some consulates are now shortening their validity due to concerns about their tenure.
Several African business and political leaders have been expressing concerns about the sharp decline in visa approvals since late 2023, especially for travelers from West Africa.
Washington's tariff plans also added to cooling diplomatic relations with African countries as some economies, including Lesotho and Madagascar, warned that even a baseline 10% tax could threaten important exports such as apparel and minerals.
However, Phytrell said the proposed US import duties have not yet been implemented and negotiations are underway to create a more mutual trade environment, including an update to the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA).
The initiative grants eligible African countries tax-free access to the US market and is expected to expire in September.
Phytrel also reaffirmed his country's commitment to the Lobito Corridor Railway project, which links Angola's coast to copper-rich Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“It's not in danger,” he said of the initiative.
Conor Coleman, the investment director at the US International Development Finance Corporation, describes it as a “win” for US investors and the African economy, emphasizing the importance of regional integration.
The Trump administration has x strips of US foreign aid to Africa.
Angolan President Joan Lourenzo, who has addressed more than 2,000 governments and business leaders at the summit, said US businesses should move from aid to an investment-driven partnership.
“It's time to replace the logic of aid with the logic of investment and trade,” Lourenzo said, urging diversification into sectors such as automobile manufacturing, shipbuilding, tourism, cement and steel production.
(Reported by Miguel Gomez; Written by Colleen Goko; Edited by Alessandro Parody and Mark Potter)
