US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Wednesday Feb. 19, 2020. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with business leaders in Africa to discuss China’s influence in the country. On Wednesday, he gave a speech to the UN Economic Commission in Addis Ababa, where he advised against input from China.
Pompeo added fuel to criticism from President Trump about China’s ability to send poor countries further into debt when funding infrastructure projects.
Honored to speak at the @UN @ECA_Official. I truly believe that entrepreneurs are the future of #Africa and #sustainable economic liberation is the key to empowering our societies. pic.twitter.com/AxR1u9mYMt
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) February 19, 2020
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has continued working to limit China’s authority in Africa. Secretary Pompeo warned leaders that deals with China are often unstable.
“Not every nation doing business in Africa from outside the continent adapts the American model of partnership,” he explained. “Countries should be wary of authoritarian regimes with empty promises; they breed corruption, dependency…they don’t hire the local people, they don’t train, they don’t lead them.”
Pompeo did not officially announce any new projects, but told the group of leaders that the president loves to make deals.
