Jim Baird Questions Top Trump Official About China's Influence In Africa

Forbes Breaking News

During a House Foreign Relations Committee hearing in July, Rep. Jim Baird  (R-IN) asked Undersecretary Allison Hooker about Chinese relations with African countries.

Transcript

00:00The gentleman from Indiana, Mr. Baird, is now recognized.

00:08Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member.

00:11Madam Undersecretary Hooker, we appreciate you being here, appreciate the job that you do,

00:17and we want to make sure that we have the United States well represented in some of these countries.

00:22But, you know, I really congratulate you on hosting a version of an African Leadership Summit.

00:30And that had the heads of five American nations recently visiting the Oval Office.

00:35And those countries included Gabon, Guinea, Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal.

00:47And they focused on trade and investment opportunities.

00:50So I'm interested in what your takeaway was from that meeting.

00:56Thank you, Congressman, for that question.

01:00We were very proud of this meeting taking place.

01:03And I think that it just demonstrates the commitment to the African continent that President Trump has himself

01:10and that the administration has.

01:11In terms of the focus, as you said, there was focus on trade, there's focus on diplomacy,

01:20and increased attention being paid to not just those countries but to the region as a whole

01:27to bring stability, security, and prosperity to the African continent.

01:32And that's the goal.

01:33And this meeting is just one step in the direction of that goal.

01:37So did you find them receptive to the positions you were taking?

01:43Because I'm concerned about, you know, our adversaries like China moving into some of these countries.

01:49Thank you, sir, for that question.

01:54As I said earlier, what we've done with the reorganization is aimed at making sure each of the bureaus

02:04and our ambassadors in the region have everything they need to engage in diplomacy and commercial diplomacy in the region.

02:14And to your specific question, every diplomatic engagement builds on the other.

02:22So we will continue to build, and we'll continue to emphasize the messages that were delivered during those meetings.

02:30And I expect there to be great results from that.

02:36So can you add on to what the Bureau is doing to reshape and ensure that the U.S. remains the number one preferred trading partner in Africa?

02:45You know, I'm interested in agriculture and have been involved in agriculture all my life.

02:49And the commodities that we produce here are second to none.

02:54So we've got that quality, and we also have the logistic capability to get that anywhere in the world.

02:59So I would just be interested in your thoughts about how America stands in these countries that we mentioned as trading partners.

03:10Yes, sir.

03:11Well, as you are, I'm sure, very well aware, President Trump is extraordinarily focused on trade,

03:17not just for our diplomatic engagements, but for the benefit of the American voter and taxpayer.

03:25So trade will be part of any conversation that we have in our individual relationships in Africa

03:32and everywhere else around the world as well.

03:36So could you share with me or share with us what you think the opinion is of those countries

03:43for agricultural commodities related to agriculture?

03:47Sir, I'm not able to discuss the details of those specific engagements at this time,

03:53but I'm happy to be in touch with you as we continue to engage and as results come from those engagements.

03:59You know, I'm interested, I'm interested, I've been interested in where those commodities go.

04:08We as a people are very giving, and agriculture is also an important part of that.

04:14And those commodities can end up being fungible when they get in country.

04:18And so I'm interested in making sure that the people we designated those for are actually receiving it.

04:25So I would appreciate your response and your idea about how we stand in that regard.

04:32Yes, sir.

04:33And ensuring that whether it's assistance or commodities that are being traded,

04:41again, one of the main focus points of our reorganization was making sure there's oversight at every single turn.

04:49So I will be happy to work with you on that.

04:53I appreciate your response.

04:55And my time's up.

04:56I yield back.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended