Article

2004-02-15 Africa: Subsaharan

African leaders discuss access to Western markets

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Posted by Steve White 2004-02-15 12:45:08 AM|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 So Africa is in play. I'm on board. Release the hounds Smithers. Perhaps Africa is the theatre that the WoT should morph. That would ruffle AQ's shorts.

Posted by Lucky 2004-2-15 1:45:09 AM|| 2004-2-15 1:45:09 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 NEPAD - isn't that the one Clinton helped found?

Posted by Frank G 2004-2-15 9:35:55 AM|| 2004-2-15 9:35:55 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 Islam is growing rapidly in sub-Saharan Africa, but then again, so is Christianity -- this is the crucial arena of cultural competition. US cotton, peanut, and sugar growers (with their protectionist allies in congress) are NOT gelping matters here at all.

Posted by closet neo-con 2004-2-15 10:31:18 AM|| 2004-2-15 10:31:18 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 What will this do to our domestic khat farmers?

Posted by Super Hose 2004-2-15 11:34:56 AM|| 2004-2-15 11:34:56 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 Closet NC, I am betting that the farm subsidies are rolled back soon after the election - just speculating. If they are eliminated altogether, I would limit them to farmers owning a limited acreage.

Posted by Super Hose 2004-2-15 11:37:41 AM|| 2004-2-15 11:37:41 AM|| Front Page Top

#6 I like and encourage competition. Sometimes, however, trying to go head to head isn't the best way to go. I'm sure there are things that only grow in Africa, and some things that, although grown elsewhere, taste different when grown in Africa. It may be better to concentrate on those areas, rather than trying to compete directly with US wheat, cotton, soybean, and corn growers - at least until farming as an export has gained a significant foothold in Africa.

The US sugar subsidy is mainly aimed at Caribbean and South American growers (Cuba, number 1). IF US subsidies are rolled back, we also will have to roll back the tons of over-regulation our farmers currently struggle with, so they can be competitive internationally.

This isn't the simple problem a lot of people think it is, and there isn't going to be a simple solution. I encourage Africa, and I hope the US and Europe not only encourage this, but help in every way possible. I just think there are going to be some significant teething problems along the way.

Posted by Old Patriot 2004-2-15 12:21:43 PM|| [http://users.codenet.net/mweather/default.htm] 2004-2-15 12:21:43 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 Old Patriot -- good points. But many African countries are already competitive in peanuts (Senegal, Mali) and cotton (CAR, B.F., for ex.) Sugar barriers hurt the Philippines, which is an major site in the WoT.

Posted by closet neo-con 2004-2-15 1:42:06 PM|| 2004-2-15 1:42:06 PM|| Front Page Top

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