US ‘looking for’ African countries interested in free trade agreements

The US government says it is looking for African countries that would be interested in bilateral free trade agreements with it.

NAN reports that Peter Haas, the US deputy assistant secretary for trade policy and negotiation, told journalists in a teleconference that it was a big deal for the US to be looking towards Africa.

“What we were looking for are African countries that would be interested in having bilateral free trade agreements with us,” he said.

“I think one of the things that I would like to point out is that this is a kind of big deal for us, to be looking at countries in Africa for possible free trade agreements.

“We are also targeting meetings with the African Union to discuss the future of the US-Africa trade relationship.

“We will be looking at countries that express interest to determine which ones make sense, both in terms of capacity, readiness, and all of those things.”

Haas, however, said it is too early to decide or disclose the African country or countries his government might start negotiations with on the proposed bilateral free trade agreements.

The US Trade Relations Office of African Affairs develops and coordinates US trade and investment policy for the 49 countries of sub-Saharan Africa.