Chris Coons: “I would like to speak for a few minutes about our Nation's economic relationship with Africa and one area of concern I…”

“I would like to speak for a few minutes about our Nation's economic relationship with Africa and one area of concern I have as we work toward further strengthening our ties. Since its passage under President Clinton, the African Growth and Opportunity Act, known as AGOA, has been a powerful tool for increasing trade and boosting economies across the African Continent, and no country has taken greater advantage of the opportunities provided through AGOA than South Africa. Over the past 4 years, as the chairman of the African Affairs Subcommittee of the Committee on Foreign Relations, I have worked closely with African leaders and know the importance of AGOA to their economies and to their growing middle classes. Just last week I met with a group of African trade ministers who emphasized to me how important prompt reauthorization of AGOA is to them, to their nations, and to tens of thousands of men and women who work in reliance upon AGOA. AGOA is not a partisan issue. I have worked closely with my Republican colleague and friend from Georgia Senator Isakson on its reauthorization. But, as I have also long believed, trade must be fair, and with increased trade comes a responsibility by both parties to play by the same set of rules.…”