00:00Prime Minister Kamala Pesad-Besessa says the results of the U.S. midterm elections that saw the Republican Party, the
00:06GOP, losing control of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate to the Democratic Party have no effect
00:12on Trinidad and Tobago's relationship with the United States.
00:16In response to questions from TV6 News, Prime Minister Pesad-Besessa said, quote,
00:20It has no effect on our relationship. We have a great relationship with the U.S. government and we will
00:25continue to have a great relationship and work together, end quote.
00:30Prime Minister Pesad-Besessa said U.S. investment in Trinidad and Tobago is mainly done through private investments so that
00:37will not be affected and security and trade cooperation will continue as normal.
00:43The Prime Minister further said, quote,
00:45The GOP lost seats because of the prolonged war in Iran and its effects on fuel prices and the cost
00:50of living, bread and butter issues were the main driver of votes.
00:54The U.S. election results will have no effect whatsoever on Trinidad and Tobago's voting patterns. It never had any
01:00before, end quote.
01:02On social media, the White House said in a post to Americans, quote,
01:05Trump is still your president, end quote, in reference to the next U.S. presidential elections being due in November
01:122028.
01:14President Donald Trump has also indicated his willingness to veto bills passed by both chambers of Congress.
01:20Prime Minister Pesad-Besessa said the American state operates in its own best interests regardless of who controls the presidency,
01:28Senate or Congress,
01:29and that they know they have in her government an ally in good times and bad times.
01:35The Prime Minister said of U.S. TNT relations, quote,
01:39Our diplomatic position has never been stronger, end quote.
01:42In a post on Facebook, former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said what he called the rampage in America has
01:48been decisively addressed by the American people.
01:51Dr. Rowley also said, quote,
01:53This is a good time for the people of Trinidad and Tobago to pay careful attention to our own situation
01:58and take stock of where we are going
02:00and what we have done in relation to the politics that have been roundly repudiated in America yesterday, end quote.
02:07In an apparent reference to the UNC that government, Dr. Rowley said, quote,
02:12They have shamed us by voting for cruelty and collective punishment for Cuba.
02:16Now they refuse to vote in defense of the A&R Robinson-led International Criminal Court, end quote.
02:22Prime Minister Pesad-Besessa told the Express, quote,
02:25U.S. policy towards Cuba, Venezuela and the Caribbean has been consistent across U.S. administrations for decades.
02:32As I said before, all U.S. administrations look after America first.
02:36That is why we must look after Trinidad and Tobago first, end quote.
02:40Prime Minister Pesad-Besessa told the Express, quote,
02:42These midterm results were very predictable and in line with the cycle of midterm election results going back decades.
02:49It doesn't matter who's in government in Port of Spain and Washington.
02:53The government's structure remains and cooperation will always continue, end quote.
02:59Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
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