adminGibson Nyikadzino
Herald Correspondent
International trade experts have raised concern over the United States’ moves to introduce an Act that apparently seeks to frustrate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
This comes after Democratic Party members Mrs Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Mr Jonathan Jackson in May co-sponsored in Congress, the US-Africa Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership Bill of 2024 (ASTIP), which they claimed marked “a crucial step in the evolution of US-Africa trade relations”.
In their proposals, the duo said the ASTIP was designed to bolster US-Africa partnership and held significant potential to advance the AfCFTA agreement.
The ASTIP also seeks to benefit the US by evaluating areas in which the US industries have a comparative advantage in Africa to promote trade and investment within those industries.
However, international trade experts queried the contents of the proposed legislation and intentions of the US in the 22-page document.
They say the proposals are inconsistent with AfCFTA objectives and the US is looking for a way to control African countries and curtail their potential.
International trade expert and AfCTA advocate Mr Tanatsiwa Dambuza said there was apprehension around the potential enactment of the bill which could perpetuate new colonial tendencies by reinforcing unequal power dynamics and economic dependencies between the US and African countries.
“This could lead to a situation where African nations are pressured to align their trade policies with US interests, potentially undermining Africa’s sovereignty and autonomy in decision-making.
“There is a risk that increased US involvement could lead to the dominance of American corporations in strategic sectors, potentially limiting economic agency of African nations and leading to the extraction of resources without commensurate benefits for local populations in Africa,” Mr Dambuza said.
Dr Levious Chiukira, a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe said the Bill comes at a time the US sees its position as a global power diminishing with new blocs like BRICS+ pushing for South-South cooperation.
He outlined that the US might exploit the AfCFTA and use it to alienate countries, reflecting how it uses its foreign policy.
“The Bill is coming at a time when America is now seeing that its hegemonic status has been challenged by the coming in of Russia as a military giant and China as an economic giant, the proliferation of regional trade agreements, and also the creation of the BRICS organisation and how BRICS is coming about as an alternative in relation to South-South cooperation.
“America is now seeing that it fails to bring itself to the table, it will be alienated,” said Dr Chiukira.
According to Dr Chiukira, the US is now coming on board, not really for the benefit of Africa, but to get relevance, warning that the US will use the divide and rule policy to achieve its goals.
“The US will still pursue a divide and rule policy, a concept where it says if you are pro-US, we will support you, if you are against us, we will not support you.
“It will be critical to see how the AfCFTA secretariat will make sure they close loopholes which can be used by the Americans to ensure that they divide Africans,” added Dr Chiukira.
Another trade expert, Mr Tanaka Ndongera, highlighted that the AfCFTA secretariat should make sure capacity building proposals align with African priorities, not US interests.
“There is need to ensure that any partnership will not create undue US influence over AfCFTA implementation. If implemented collaboratively and in alignment with African priorities, this partnership could accelerate AfCFTA implementation and progress towards Agenda 2063 goals,” said Mr Ndongera.
Online Reporter