[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
[June 13, 2005]
[Pages 975-977]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]
Remarks on the African Growth and Opportunity Act
June 13, 2005
Thank you all for coming. Welcome to the White House. I want to
thank the five Presidents who are with us today: President Mogae of Botswana, President Kufuor of Ghana, President Guebuza of Mozambique, President Pohamba of Namibia, and President Tandja of Niger.
We just had a great discussion. I consider these men friends. I
consider them to be strong patriots of their respective countries, and I
consider them to be democrats.
I want to thank Secretary of State Condi Rice for joining us today, and she was in the
discussions we had earlier. I'm honored that the members of the
diplomatic corps have joined us. I thank the Ambassadors for being here.
I appreciate Members of the Congress being here: Senator Bill
Frist, the majority leader is with us;
Congressman Bill Thomas, Congressman
Charlie Rangel of the Ways and Means
Committee, two fine Members, and I appreciate you being here as a symbol
of unity and support for--[laughter]--for moving the trade agenda
forward. I appreciate Congressman Jim Kolbe
from Arizona for being here as well. Thank you all for coming, really
are honored you're here, and I know the Presidents are as well.
All the Presidents
gathered here
represent countries that have held democratic elections in the last
year. What a strong statement that these leaders have made about
democracy and the importance of democracy on the continent of Africa.
All of us share a fundamental commitment to advancing democracy and
opportunity on the continent of Africa, and all of us believe that one
of the most effective ways to advance democracy and deliver hope to the
people of Africa is through mutually beneficial trade.
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That was certainly the idea behind the African Growth and
Opportunity Act, a bipartisan act, an act of the United States Congress
that recognized this fact. You see, AGOA is promoting democratic reform
in Africa by providing incentives for these nations to extend freedom
and opportunity to all of their citizens. Under this law, African
nations can obtain greater access to our markets by showing their
commitment to economic and political reform, by respecting human rights,
tearing down trade barriers, and strengthening property rights and the
rule of law, which is precisely what the leaders of these five nations
are doing.
Because AGOA is producing results, I've twice signed into law
provisions that build on its success and extend its benefits long into
the future. My predecessor worked with
the Congress to get the law passed. I have been honored to work with the
Congress to extend the good law. And the reason why I feel confident in
going to the Congress is because it has worked. It's a good piece of
legislation that has made a difference in people's lives.
In 2004, we saw dramatic evidence of the results that this new
engagement between the United States and Africa is helping produce. Last
year, exports to the United States from AGOA nations were up 88 percent
over the year before, and non-oil exports were up by 22 percent. In
other words, we pledged to open our markets; we have opened our markets;
and people are now making goods that the United States consumers want to
buy. And that's helpful. That's how you spread wealth. That's how you
encourage hope and opportunity.
Over the same period, interestingly enough, U.S. exports to sub-
Sahara Africa were up 25 percent. In other words, this is a two-way
street. Not only have folks in Africa benefited by selling products in
the United States; American businesses, small and large, have benefited
through the opening of the African market as well. Across sub-Sahara
Africa, economic growth increased to an 8-year high. Real per capita
income increased by 2.7 percent, and this growth is expected to continue
in 2005. By creating jobs and lowering prices and expanding opportunity,
AGOA is today developing benefits for Americans and Africans alike, and
that's important for our fellow citizens to understand. Trade is
beneficial for the working people here in America, just like it's
beneficial for people on the continent of Africa.
We'll continue to work for policies that build on these impressive
results. In December, I announced that 37 African countries are now
eligible for AGOA benefits, and next month in Senegal, senior ministers
from my administration will meet with government ministers from these 37
AGOA nations to build on this progress. These representatives will be
joined by hundreds of American and African businesses and private
organizations who will discuss ways to promote development and
strengthen civil society.
As we expand our trade, the United States is committing to expanding
our efforts to relieve hunger, reduce debt, fight disease on the African
continent. One thing we discussed was the Millennium Challenge Account,
and I assured the leaders we will work harder and faster to certify
countries for the MCA, so that MCA countries and the people in the MCA
countries can see the benefit of this really important piece of
legislation and funding.
I also announced last week that the United States will provide about
$674 million of additional resources to help alleviate humanitarian
emergencies in African nations, especially the growing famine in parts
of Africa. On Saturday, we also announced an agreement worked out
through the Group of Eight industrialized nations that will cancel $40
billion in debt owed by 18 of the world's poorest nations, including 14
in Africa. The countries eligible for this relief are those that have
put themselves on the path to reform. We believe that by removing a
crippling debt burden, we'll
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help millions of Africans improve their lives and grow their economies.
Finally, one of the greatest causes of suffering in Africa is the
spread of HIV/AIDS. I appreciate Randy Tobias being here. I made fighting this terrible disease a top
priority of my administration by launching an emergency plan for AIDS
relief. Working with our African partners, we have now delivered life-
saving treatment to more than 200,000 people in sub-Sahara Africa, and
we're on our way to meeting an important goal--an important 5-year
goal--of providing treatment for nearly 2 million African adults and
children.
The United States of America is firmly committed to working with
governments to help fight the pandemic of AIDS. It is--this crisis is
one that can be arrested. And I want you all to know that when America
makes a commitment, we mean what we say, and this Government means what
it says, and this Congress means what it says, and we'll work together
to fight HIV/AIDS.
These are just some of the initiatives that we're pursuing to help
Africa's leaders bring democracy and prosperity and hope to their
people. The reason I ask these
Presidents to
join us today is because I applaud their courage; I appreciate their
wisdom. I appreciate them being such good friends that they're able to
feel comfortable in coming to the White House to say, ``Mr. President,
this is going well, and this isn't. How about working together to make
this work better.'' That's how we solve problems. We solve problems by
having a frank and open dialog.
We believe Africa is a continent full of promise and talent and
opportunity, and the United States will do our part to help the people
of Africa realize the brighter future they deserve.
Again, I'm honored you all are here. Thank you all for coming. May
God bless you all.
Note: The President spoke at 11:11 a.m. in Room 450 in the Dwight D.
Eisenhower Executive Office Building. In his remarks, he referred to
President Festus Gontebanye Mogae of Botswana; President John Agyekum
Kufuor of Ghana; President Armando Guebuza of Mozambique; President
Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia; and President Mamadou Tandja of Niger.