Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi Urges Administration to Convene the Presidential Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa to Counter China’s Growing Influence

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sent a letter to Trevor Kellogg, the Acting Under Secretary for International Trade at the Department of Commerce, urging that the International Trade Administration (ITA) convene the Presidential Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA) to counter the People’s Republic of China’s growing influence on the continent. 

“PAC-DBIA and our trade missions are essential tools that have strengthened American commercial engagement with Africa,” Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi wrote. “If we do not make full use of these tools and others, not only will U.S. engagement with the African continent suffer, but the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will continue to make inroads to the detriment of American interests.”

The letter notes that China far outcompetes the United States on trade with Africa. Their bilateral trade exceeds $280 billion – four times that of the United States – and 52 of 52 African countries trade more with China than the United States.

“In light of this competition, the U.S. must provide a meaningful alternative,” the letter reads. “Previous American initiatives have successfully advanced U.S. business and commercial interests in Africa.”

Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi requests a briefing on the Administration’s plans to revitalize U.S.-Africa economic policy, which should include an update on the status of PAC-DBIA. He also requests a written response regarding the Commerce Department’s assessment of PRC activity in the region, and whether it will commit to undertake a trade mission to the continent. 

Read the full letter HERE.

Read the report in Semafor HERE.