The US envoy downplays worries about the Africa tariff and visas while restating the commitment to the Lobito rail
On Tuesday, the senior U.S. diplomat for Africa denied claims of unfair U.S. trade practices and stated that a major railway project that would connect Zambia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo would not be derailed by financial delays.
Officials from the African Union questioned Monday how Africa could strengthen trade relations with the United States in light of what they described as “abusive” tariff plans and stricter visa requirements that primarily target African travelers.
“There is no visitation ban,” Ambassador Troy Fitrell stated at a press conference held in Luanda at the U.S.-Africa Business Summit. Although some now have reduced validity periods because of worries about overstays, he said U.S. consulates still regularly issue visas.
A significant decline in visa approvals since late 2023, especially for travelers from West Africa, has alarmed a number of African political and commercial leaders.
Certain economies, such as Madagascar and Lesotho, have cautioned that even a base 10% tariff could jeopardize vital exports like clothing and minerals, which has further contributed to the freezing of diplomatic relations with African nations.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) renewal is one of the continuing efforts to establish a more reciprocal trading environment, Fitrell said, adding that the planned U.S. import duties have not yet been put into effect.
The program, which is set to expire in September, allows duty-free access to the U.S. market for qualifying African countries.
The Lobito Corridor railway project, which connects the coast of Angola to copper-rich Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, is another project that Fitrell reaffirmed his nation’s commitment to.
He said, “It’s not at risk,” highlighting the initiative’s importance for regional integration and characterizing it as a “win-win” for African countries and U.S. investment.
Large portions of U.S. foreign aid for Africa have been eliminated by the Trump administration as part of a drive to reduce spending that it views as unnecessary.
Speaking during the summit to over 2,000 government and business executives, Angolan President João Lourenço advised U.S. corporations to switch from aid to partnerships driven by investment.
“It’s time to replace the logic of aid with the logic of investment and trade,” Lourenço stated, advocating for diversification into industries including steel, cement, tourism, shipbuilding, and automobile manufacturing.
