TT MUST BE STRATEGIC & PROACTIVE WITH TRUMP

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One International Relations Expert warns that the policies and tariffs implemented by the Trump Administration are intentional. He says there is a method to Donald Trump's madness  He says while these policies cause disruptions, Trinidad and Tobago and the wider region must adopt an unconventional approach to dealing with this radical President.  Nicole M Romany has the details.

Transcript

00:00International relations expert Mwale Henry notes that the Caribbean is under Western

00:06influence and must be able to navigate the core components of these tariffs.

00:12He adds that the new policies will no doubt have downwind impacts, but this country has

00:18to find ways to improve its position and become less reactive.

00:23What requires us as a region is to be very pragmatic and be proactive.

00:29What can we do now in order to position ourselves, to be at the table, or what do we need to

00:36do now to predict what will be the next step and how do we engage the U.S. as a region,

00:42as CARICOM, and also as a nation?

00:45Henry warns against diplomatic alignment or picking sides.

00:49He says this country should neither capitulate nor antagonize.

00:55According to him, to pick winners and losers in the current war of the world's powers will

01:00leave Trinidad and Tobago in a worst position.

01:04Instead, he advises that focus be placed on strengthening regional arrangements.

01:10I think from our strategy, we should really hasten to accelerate energy deals within the region.

01:18I know we have a position with Barbados, and that's a position we can deepen.

01:23And finally, we need to aggressively pursue diversification, and there are low-hanging

01:29fruits that will allow us to expand our options.

01:33That does not bring us in the crosshairs of diplomatic tensions.

01:37He also suggests that this country seeks to improve its seat at the table by proactively

01:44responding to the Trump administration's foreign policy.

01:48What are some of the proactive policy positions Trinidad is taking with regards to illegal

01:53migrants who are being caught in the sweep of ICE operations?

01:58Are we proactively repatriating our citizens back to Trinidad?

02:04Are we actively, proactively looking at what are the current U.S. policies and how we can

02:11be, A, in compliance and, B, be proactive engaging in such policies where we have zero

02:18control over?

02:19He says it would be remiss of us to look at the relationship simply from our feelings

02:25toward them, noting that President Trump is transactional and Trinidad and Tobago should

02:31examine ways to assist in his policy agenda in terms of finding common goals for economic

02:38prosperity.

02:39The international relations expert also expressed his support for Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley's

02:45response to threats from the United States against the hiring of Cuban doctors.

02:50He says playing to the gallery is a mistake and the Prime Minister should stand his ground.

02:56Nicole M. Romany, TV6 News.

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