Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, says the reported plan by the United States to issue a travel ban on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will hinder trade growth in the region.
Tuggar spoke in Abuja on Wednesday during the 54th ordinary session of the mediation and security council at ministerial level.
Tuggar, who chairs the council, noted that there is often a direct correlation between security and prosperity sustained through trade and investment, devoid of barriers.
“It would therefore be remiss of me if I did not mention the apparent recent decision by the government of the United States to include all ECOWAS countries in its visa restrictions,” the minister said.
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A recent US state department internal memo has indicated that President Donald Trump is considering imposing a travel ban on a host of countries, mostly from Africa.
An earlier signed executive order heightened restrictions on people from Togo.
“This would be most unfortunate if it comes to pass, because we are a region of opportunities ready to do deals,” Tuggar told the bloc’s ministerial council.
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“We possess critical minerals and even rare earths such as samarium from the monazite found in my home state of Bauchi.
“We would like to do deals with the US, but visa restrictions are non-tariff barriers to deals.
“We in this part of the world are students of the art of the deal and have been part of the international trading system even before the modern state system.
“ECOWAS countries and the US have a rare opportunity to create a partnership based on principles of need. We are also a strategic alternative to more distant and politically divergent energy producers.
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“So, we will do deals for our prosperity; the only question is with whom? Who takes up the opportunities in our region by allowing government officials and technocrats, business executives and entrepreneurs to travel freely back and forth to close the deals?”
The US memo laid down new requirements for the affected countries to meet within 60 days.
Tuggar said the council would discuss the emerging issues and respond with vision, concrete outcomes, and long-lasting solutions.
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