Link to article: https://allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00079622.html
AGOA, the African Growth and Opportunity Act, was a trade deal signed between the United States of America and several African countries like Madagascar, Namibia, DR Congo, and more. This deal was signed in 2000 and will expire in 2025 which raises concern among many that the trade policy won’t be renewed. With the United States legislature being so divided it seems unlikely that cooperation will be met on this issue.
However, one factor that could help unify the very divided US Congress is China. As China is rising in power they’ve begun moving in on African states’ economies, natural resources, and young and growing population. However, even if the US Congress can agree that China is a threat there will still be issues in forming a bipartisan policy that pleases both sides of the ailes.
This is extremely important to the US economy and it’s maintenance as the sole global superpower. The US needs to establish some trade agreement with such a large trading bloc which will help further develop the US economy as Africa is expected to continue to develop economically, technologically, and begin to urbanize. Also, if the US can limit China meddling in the region they are able to establish more dominance in Africa. As the US and China are reaching a potential 2nd Cold War, Africa could be a strategic location as it was in the first Cold War. Secondly, a renewal of the AGOA could help bring mutually beneficial trade which the US can use for access to natural resources and African states can use for access to technological developments and to partner themselves with the strongest state in terms of military, economy, and political influence.
This shows how countries must change their international relations strategy depending on the style of government one is negotiating with. This highlights how negotiating with a democratic government can be much more difficult than a dictatorial state because the African states have to appease a majority in the congress rather than just one dictator. Also, this alliance could be a collective good problem. It’s impossible that dozens of countries all share the same ideals and one alliance can properly meet their self interests. Also, since there is no supreme global government it would be impossible for the US and African states to be forced into an agreement with each other.