One of America’s Most Prominent Economists Has a Sober Warning for U.S. Policymakers: Don’t Disengage From Africa

One of America’s most prominent economists, Laurence H. Summers, issued a warning to U.S. policymakers to remain engaged in Africa or else risk ceding influence to China in what he says would be an “error of historic proportions.”

Summers, a former Treasury Secretary and president emeritus of Harvard University made the comments during a webinar on Monday hosted by the Center for Global Development, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.

Below is a transcript of his comments regarding the Chinese in Africa:

“What it seems to me is unquestionable is that reflection on Africa’s economic future must involve China as a central player. Chinese money, Chinese technology, Chinese debt collection, all of this will be central. 

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by Eric Olander

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