Obama sees no threat in China rivalry for Africa business

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - The United States does not feel threatened by the growth of trade and investment in Africa by China and other emerging powers, U.S. President Barack Obama said on Saturday.

Suggestions that he has allowed China to steal a march over the United States in doing business with Africa have dogged Obama's three-nation swing through the continent, but he said the increased Chinese engagement was beneficial for all.

"I don't feel threatened by it. I feel it's a good thing," Obama told a news conference during a visit to South Africa.

The more countries invest in Africa, the more the world's least developed continent can be integrated into the global economy, the first African-American U.S. president said.

"I want everybody playing in Africa. The more the merrier."

Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/06/30/uk-obama-africa-china-idUKBRE95S04F20130630

[Scootaloo]

1. I'd rather let the nations of Africa "play in Africa."

Debt forgiveness would go a long, long way to help out with this, Mr. President. This whole thing of telling the people of a nation that they owe back pay for all the bullets their oppressors bought on credit, it's not especially ethical. Disguising piracy as "aid," another thing that needs to be done away with.

While we're at it, maybe a little work on regulating American companies and how they behave overseas? I know Nigeria would like to have a word about some of our oil companies, and I'm sure the timber and mineral industries would be in that line, too. Oh, and did I mention agriculture? yeah, that whole "Monsanto owns every kernel of grain you grow"? That's gotta stop.

Or, I know, while we're talking about corporate profits, have you seen the profit markup on HIV and malaria medications? It's orders of magnitude, and the market is, no offense Mr. President, but the target market for these drugs and prophylactics are wealthy tourists such as yourself. And you know the US department of commerce is very aggressive in protecting the makers of these drugs from infringement by generic makers. Trouble is, these two diseases are causing what amounts to a holocaust in Africa - African leaders themselves use this term, maybe you've heard it from president Ian Khama if Botswana, for instance. That is to say with all respect, mr. President sir, your administration is working very hard to help these diseases cripple multiple generations throughout the nations of Africa, in order to make sure some very wealthy people in the United States continue their increasing profit margins.

if you're interested in what's good for Africa, you'll take a break from praising Chinese neocolonialism in the continent, and put your own nation's extensive wealth and political clout into helping Africa heal its long-standing wounds, so that the African themselves can figure out what the fuck is in their own best interest.

[Arctic Dave]

3. I was thinking the same thing.

What an odd thing to say. It's like Kerry's remark about South America being the US's backyard.

A big kick just for your post.

[DainBramaged]

2. China isn't there to make a profit, China is there to fuell it's economic engine

They don't care about shareholders or the people.

[Franker65]

4. The bigger the rivalry, the better it is for Africa

With both China and the US competing for business in Africa, this can only be a good thing for the continent. Times have been lucrative for the US in Africa, especially in 2008 when $113 billion worth of goods were imported. Statistics do show that things have slowed down slightly in terms of US trade with Africa. Imports had fallen to $66.9 billion by 2012. A healthy dose of competition might increase productivity and improve the situation.

[dipsydoodle]

5. You're not kidding

On one hand China doesn't ask for bases in return and on the other hand a lot stuff from the US is subsidized farm produce which the price of which screws the local farmers in Africa.