00:00Political commentator and leadership executive advisor Dr. M. Wale Henry says
00:06the shift in the composition of the U.S. Congress could have significant implications
00:11for how the federal government sets its legislative priorities and allocates funding,
00:17including for foreign policy.
00:19He argues that the new balance of power could also create greater pressure for the United States
00:26to return to multilateral engagement in addressing global and geopolitical challenges.
00:32According to him, there is a lesson for Trinidad and Tobago.
00:36January 2024, then Prime Minister Dr. Rowley and Minister of Energy Stuart Young
00:43would have engaged in that type of multilateralism, looking across the party aisles
00:49where they met with Hakeem Jeffries and the Democratic minority
00:55and understanding that 87% of the times-sitting presidents would lose the mittels.
01:03So it's important to have a bipartisan approach.
01:06So the lesson from this is to ensure that our policy is not stuck into the executive quarters.
01:13He also notes the tensions earlier this year between Trinidad and Tobago and CARICOM.
01:19Dr. Henry tells the morning edition the election results could prompt a fresh appreciation for regional cooperation.
01:27So I see the Prime Minister seeing the importance of CARICOM even more
01:32to understand that bilateralism is not the only key way of getting things across.
01:40There is going to be safety in the community and Trinidad and Tobago has to remember that as a key
01:48pillar of our foreign policy as small island states.
01:51Henry also weighs in on the Prime Minister's absence from the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting
01:57and what the decision could mean for this country's diplomatic relationships.
02:02The real fact is whatever the fallout or the outcome of Trinidad and Tobago being a unique solo feature
02:12from that of multilateral organizations like CHOGOM and CARICOM,
02:17I'm certain that the Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs and the Honorable Prime Minister is going to relook and
02:25recalibrate
02:26because a lot of things that are coming down in the future is going to be coming through these multilateral
02:32organizations.
02:33As it relates to Cuba, the political commentator says that while the U.S. president retains executive authority to execute
02:41foreign policy,
02:42Congress, now controlled by the diplomats, determines which policies receive funding.
02:48He warns that this government should pay close attention to this shift.
02:53If you see what took place in Florida, which has a high base of persons from Cuba and Hispanic population,
03:04you saw this strong blue.
03:05So there are a lot of political calculations that will happen.
03:09And the Prime Minister may see herself in the blue cold because the politics has changed in the U.S.
03:17and its priorities will change.
03:19So, too, must Trinidad and Tobago.
03:23Nicole M. Romany, TV6 News.
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