Senator Scott Slams Biden for Weak Global Leadership, Allowing South Africa to Host the AGOA Forum
THURSDAY | NOVEMBER 2, 2023
WASHINGTON – As the annual African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum begins in Johannesburg, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and member of the Senate Finance Committee, slammed President Biden for allowing the forum to take place in South Africa, considering the government’s recent actions that undermine U.S. national security.
“South Africa has harbored sanctioned Russian ships, expanded relations with Iran and issued statements against Israel’s right to defend itself following Hamas’s recent terror attacks,” said Senator Tim Scott. “President Biden’s willingness to allow the AGOA Forum to remain in South Africa following these egregious actions illustrates his glaringly weak leadership and undermines our nation’s strategic interests around the globe.”
BACKGROUND
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has headlined U.S. economic engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa for more than twenty years. To participate in the program, African partners must meet certain eligibility requirements, including a willingness to “not engage in activities that undermine United States national security or foreign policy interests,” according to Section 104 of the AGOA statute (P.L. 106-200, as amended).