Foreign affairs

Sen. Flake sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and serves as chairman on the Subcommittee on African Affairs. His firsthand knowledge of issues facing countries in Africa is derived from serving a mission in South Africa and Zimbabwe, as well as serving as the head of the Foundation for Democracy in the 1990s, during which time he helped usher in democratic reforms in Namibia.

Sen. Flake believes in a renewed focus on Africa that supports continued economic growth of the continent as a whole. As ranking member, he advocates for policies toward Africa that would increase trade and security cooperation with the United States, help deliver electricity and other forms of energy across the continent, and work to preserve Africa’s unique wildlife and environment. 

As a member of the subcommittees on East Asian and Pacific Affairs; European Affairs; International Development and Foreign Assistance; Economic Affairs; and International Environmental Protection and Peace Corps, Sen. Flake pursues a foreign policy that is guided by the national security needs and interests of the United States, taking into account the best use of resources and ensuring proper congressional oversight. He continues to be an outspoken proponent of easing trade and travel restrictions with Cuba, and believes that the enduring bond between the United States and Israel serves the vital interests of both countries.

Trade

Almost 95 percent of the world’s consumers live outside the United States. For this reason, the export of U.S. goods and services has been and will continue to be a vital part of our economy.

Sen. Flake is an unapologetic proponent of free trade, trade liberalization and efforts to reduce international trade barriers. He believes that free trade expands economic freedom, spurs competition, raises productivity, facilitates job creation and increases standards of living, and that the only way to foster long-term, sustainable development – particularly in the Third World – is through free trade.

Sen. Flake’s work on trade issues encompasses not only taking advantage of opportunities that allow free trade to expand, but working to ensure that we honor those international trade obligations we have made and to avoid allowing political calculations and pandering to protectionists to jeopardize U.S. export markets abroad.