PRIME Minister Dr Keith Rowley is accusing the Opposition of creating “fake news” and misleading the public with regard to the hiring of a Washington lobbyist and lobbying firm to represent this country’s interest in the United States.
In a letter to the editor , Rowley said of creating such fake news, the Opposition should instead join with the Government and focus on improving and expanding our relationship “with our most important trading and national security partner, the United States.”
The Prime Minister said this is particularly of need during a period of instability in energy prices, while also considering our need for economic diversification.
“There is nothing unusual about Trinidad and Tobago engaging a Washington lobbyist as we’ve done so as a country for decades. Governments all over the world hire lobbyists to complement and represent their interests within the United States, notwithstanding the presence of an Embassy and Ambassador within Washington. Countries such as India, Mexico, Japan, Saudi Arabia and China all have US representation.
“Sophisticated nations invest in their relationships with their largest trading partners, and the United States is by far our largest import and export partner. Equally important, there are over 230,000 Trinbagonians, along with their families, living all over the United States. Our lobbyists ensure that our country, and in turn our people, have a voice and presence in the United States government,” said Rowley.
He stated that: “Our lobbying representatives in Washington, theGROUP DC and its Managing Partner Art Collins who had more than 30 years experience in advising in representing foreign, state and local governments before other governmental entities,, are experts in public policy and government relations.
“He said Collins is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Brookings Institute, the top ranked public policy think tank in the world as well as a member of the Board of a Trustees for Meridian International, a premier non-profit, global leadership organisation.
“In addition, the members of theGROUP DC have worked in the highest levels of the federal government, including the White House and the US Congress. For more than 25 years, Art Collins and his firm have served and continues to serve as a trusted adviser to the senior leadership of multinational corporations as they pursue their economic interests within the US and abroad. This experience will be invaluable to our Government as we continue our efforts to enhance our current business relations and pursue new relationships designed to diversify our economy.
“Their representation of Trinidad and Tobago allows us to leverage this institutional knowledge in furtherance of our nation’s goals.
“This Government is completely committed to expanding our international relationships and economy for the benefit of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Opposition should share this commitment instead of suggesting a scandal where none exists,” Rowley said.