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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