With the passage of the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA), Congressman Thompson has embraced the attempts to increase trade with African nations. As a method of aiding the economic development of less-developed nations, he has supported debt relief for these nations. While acknowledging the economic consequences of curtailed trade relations with other nations, Thompson maintains that human rights abuses in foreign countries and low tolerance for personal beliefs should be targets of reform efforts. Congressman Thompson’s visit to Cuba in June 2000, paved the way to exploring the possibility of trading agricultural and medical products with the communist state. In addition, he has sought to explore medical education and training opportunities that may exist for Second District students in Cuba.