Effectively Closing the Digital Divide, Charting a New Course in US-Africa Relations, and More

June 22, 2021

“At a time when the nation is finally moving beyond talking about the digital divide to actually doing something about the problem, it is illogical to spend the taxpayers’ dollars for something that will only open the possibility of a ‘not good enough divide’ as demand continues to rise,” argues Tom Wheeler.

In aligning both its trade and investment policies toward Africa, the United States has a unique opportunity to support African unity and economic prosperity. As the new U.S. trade team fleshes out an updated approach toward Africa, Liz May and Andrew Mold write that, in light of the AfCFTA, bilateral free trade agreements with African countries should be reconsidered in favor of a continental approach.

The rising popularity of cryptocurrencies poses serious questions for financial institutions and monetary policy. On the latest episode of Dollar & Sense, David Dollar and Eswar Prasad discuss the digitalization of money and what digital currencies could mean for the future of cash, international payments, and the strength of the U.S. dollar.

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