US Vice President Addresses China’s Influence on Africa Trip – Money Times

US Vice President, Kamala HarrisBegins a week-long journey Africa This weekend, step to us They try to present themselves as a better partner ChinaIt has invested heavily in the continent over the decades.

Senior US officials said Kamala will discuss China’s involvement in economic and technological issues in Africa of concern to the US, as well as China’s involvement in debt restructuring.

One of the three countries Kamala will visit is Zambia, the first African nation to default on its sovereign debt during the coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19and is working on deals with lenders including China.

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“We’re not asking our partners in Africa to be selective,” said one senior official, describing the rivalry with China, though adding that the U.S. has real concerns about “some of China’s behavior in Africa” ​​and its trade. Opaque.

Kamala Harris will be in Ghana from March 26 to 29 and then Tanzania from March 29 to 31. Your last stops will be in Zambia on March 31 and April 1. He plans to meet the presidents of the three countries and announce investments in the public and private sectors.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said the US vice president would discuss the best ways for the international community to address the debt challenges facing Ghana and Zambia.

The White House hosted a summit of African leaders in December, and President Joe Biden is expected to travel to Africa this year.

Kamala Harris has a personal connection to Zambia. Her maternal grandfather worked in the country and she met him there as a young woman.

“The Vice President is looking forward to returning to Lusaka, which is part of his family history and pride,” one of the officials said.