Congressman Jim Nussle is just back from a trip to Africa where he was among a delegation of U-S officials discussing how to help the continent become a greater force in international trade.The U-S officials were in Africa to review liberalized trading rules that took effect two years ago as part of the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Nussle says the intention is to provide more than just cash to developing African countries, but to help develop industries, trade and jobs there.Nussle says poverty’s widespread in Africa, but he saw potential for development in the Third World countries. Nussle has long sought to reduce U-S foreign aid, and in his role as chairman of the House Budget Committee, Nussle will try to decrease direct cash payments to African countries. Nussle says the U-S will still send aid to help starving Africans, but he says the goal is to help the Africans develop industries so Africans can begin to help themselves. The U-S is now the biggest importer of goods from Africa. Just last year, there was a 28 percent increase in imports of clothing and other apparel made in sub-Saharan Africa.
