Writer Grant Harris criticizes the policy of US President Donald Trump in Africa, in which he seeks to counter China's influence on the continent and says it is doomed to fail.

In an article in the US magazine Foreign Affairs, John Bolton said last week that the most important priority for Washington would be to develop economic relations in Africa, suppress terrorism and conflict, and ensure that US aid Well.

The author argues that the US strategy in Africa is essentially about countering Chinese influence in the region. Bolton attacked Beijing for its "predatory" practices in Africa and pledged a firm response.

Author: US should offer African countries a convincing alternative if they want to confront China (Reuters)

Cold policy
Harris says the administration is right to be concerned about Beijing's aggressive diplomacy in Africa, and that Bolton's speech offered a good vision after two years of lukewarm US policy toward the continent.

But while the Trump administration focuses on China's trade threat, Beijing is investing in long-term relationships, not only in trade and infrastructure, so the United States must Offers African countries a convincing alternative if they are to confront China.

According to consulting firm McKinsey, there are more than 10,000 Chinese companies now operating on the continent, earning about $ 180 billion a year.

Although the United States still has more foreign direct investment (FDI) shares in Africa, Chinese investment in the region is growing rapidly, he said.

The Chinese Challenge
He notes that the number of Chinese companies in Africa increased by more than double in 2016, and that China overtook the United States in 2009 to become Africa's largest trading partner.

Bolton noted that part of Beijing's strategy in Africa is to provide large loans on vague terms to the countries of the region, which gives China influence over local governments.

But Trump's management is wrong to describe China's entire business in Africa as bad.

He believes China's investment in Africa is conducive to local development by providing the capital and infrastructure that the region desperately needs.

African countries need to invest up to $ 108 billion each year in infrastructure (Reuters)

infrastructure
African countries - according to the African Development Bank - need to invest as much as $ 108 billion a year in infrastructure to boost growth, and they need to create enough jobs for their rapidly growing population. That African leaders welcome the interest of Beijing and its deep pockets.

Trump's administration was lagging behind when it came to Africa policy, he said, where US dealings with African leaders were few, and Washington was slow to appoint officials in jobs related to Africa.

White House budgets have sought to cut down significantly on the agencies that implement US policy on the continent as the specter of Chinese investment outpaces US companies in Africa.