Allred leads bipartisan push to counter PRC investment in Africa, releases mid-year report online

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Colin Allred (TX-32) and Young Kim (CA-40), members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced the Stopping PRC Environmental Exploitation and Degradation Act (SPEED) Act to combat the negative environmental, ecological, and public health effects of investments linked to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in Africa.The PRC has become Africa’s largest trading partner, creditor, and source of foreign direct investment through the Belt and Road Initiative. The PRC’s debt-trap diplomacy, often executed through corporations, can be destructive and harmful to local communities and key biodiversity areas.“We cannot allow the People’s Republic of China and Chinese-linked companies to continue their exploitation of African nations as they subject their people to harmful ecological and public health risks,” said Rep. Colin Allred. ‘‘The bipartisan SPEED Act will strengthen U.S. policy, authorize sanctions and hold the Chinese government accountable for the adverse environmental, ecological and public health incidents occurring in Africa.’’