US Secretary of State Marco Rubio - FILE PHOTO
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Barbados based political scientist Devaron Bruce and Dr. Sanjay Badri Maharaj, Trinidadian attorney, both speaking Tuesday on Beyond the Headlines
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to arrive in Jamaica this morning, in what the Americans are portraying as a bid to advance the foreign policy priorities of the Trump administration in the Caribbean.
It is not yet clear what the Jamaican Government's own expectations are for the meeting.
While in Jamaica, the Secretary will also participate in bilateral meetings with with heads of government from Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, and Haiti.
Political Scientist in Barbados, Devaron Bruce says the visit signals a renewed interest by the United States in the region.
He believes however that the way that regional leaders engage the US will have to change in light of the policies of the Trump administration.
Addressing the matter on Radio Jamaica's Beyond the Headlines, on Tuesday, he suggested a recalibration of of foreign policy priorities, by pivoting away from longstanding reliance on trade with the United States... "maybe diversifying way from the US into Canada, Latin America, Central America, Europe, China etc."
In contrast, Dr. Sanjay Badri Maharaj, a Trinidadian attorney, wants the region to be "pragmatic" in how it relates to the Trump administration and cater to the ego of Trump in the process.
"We must re-emphasise our desire to have very good relations with the United States," he counseled, "and support in the main, its foreign policy objectives (while) being as vague as possible on the details."
In that regard, he's suggesting the English speaking Caribbean should ditch its "red line on Cuba."
"Our red line means nothing to them," he argued, recommending instead that these countries should do all they can to avoid falling victims to Trump imposed tariffs.
He conceded that US sanctions on Cuba have been "entirely counterproductive," and might have "set back democracy in Cuba," but nevertheless, he wants the region to be pragmatic in how it responds to the US Government.
A post meeting press conference is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., at Jamaica House, featuring Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness and Mr Rubio.
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