As Bahamas Turn To Recovery, U.S. Worries About China Stepping In To Help

[applegrove]

As Bahamas Turn To Recovery, U.S. Worries About China Stepping In To Help

FRANCO ORDOÑEZ at NPR

https://www.npr.org/2019/09/06/758107009/as-bahamas-turn-to-recovery-u-s-worries-about-china-stepping-in-to-help

"SNIP.....


"The administration will see this as part of a broader concern about China investing in countries as a threat to make potentially those countries beholden to China or indebted to China and to diminish the United States's influence in the Western Hemisphere," said Dermody, who is now at the law firm of O'Melveny & Myers. "And I would say that the concern is particularly acute where the investment is going to be in information technology. And in light of the catastrophic damage of the Bahamas, I think that is going to be an issue."

José Cárdenas, who served in the National Security Council under George W. Bush and regularly speaks with Trump administration officials, called the situation complicated.

It's very likely that the Chinese will have some role in the reconstruction of the Bahamas and the United States does not want to be critical of any foreign government offering aid to the Bahamas. But he said the concerns are real. What's important, he said, is that the United States continue its campaign speaking to the broader region that the Chinese presence isn't "all sweetness and light."

"The temptation is so great to take advantage of Chinese largesse," he said. "But to the peoples of the hemisphere, the United States ought to be very clear in a public diplomacy campaign that the Chinese government largesse comes with a lot of baggage. It comes with a lot of strings attached, and it has implications for democratic institutions and rule of law."


.....SNIP"

Trump should have been publisizing the needs the Bahamas has so private and church donations go up. Instead it was "Alabama, Alabama, Alabama".

[kskiska]

1. Why isn't the U.S. taking the initiative

to help the Bahamas to rebuild? In a normal administration that would be a no-brainer.

[applegrove]

2. They are but it is not in the news because "Alabama" is. US coast guard

was there asap. From the link:

"SNIP....

Emergency teams from the United States have been sent to help in the Bahamas, where tens of thousands of people need food. Thirty people have been confirmed dead, but the numbers are expected to rise as recovery efforts continue. The administration is encouraging donations via the Center for International Disaster Information website.

"This is part of a broader international response effort that includes Caribbean partners, the United Kingdom, and Canada, so that the government of the Bahamas can provide lifesaving and life sustaining care to their people," said National Security Council spokesman Garrett Marquis.

.....SNIP"

[TreasonousBastard]

3. Well, our aid has always had strings attached, and local dictators loved it...

So, maybe it's just China's time. They're a lot better at this stuff than the Russians/Soviets ever were.

Chinese missiles in Cuba? Nah-- maybe Venezuela, though.

They're big in Africa, too.

[applegrove]

6. It has less strings attached these days. When i was studying development

economics jobs on the ground for long term projects often went to white people from donor countries than to locals. Can't believe we thought that was normal. Or healthy. Or good. Or helpfull.

[Blue_true]

9. China has basically checkmated us worldwide since Trump took office.

China either controls outright or has effective control over something like 90% of strategic metals after they agressive move into Africa over that last 2.5 years. They may also "inherit" Afghanistan after we are gone, without a need to fire a single bullet.

[sheshe2]

4. When Dotard gets around to it...

Hope he does a better than the paper towels he threw in Puerto Rico for US citizens. I won’t hold my breath.

[malaise]

5. it's OK if they are beholden to the West

[Sanity Claws]

7. This makes the U.S. sound like a jealous ex-boyfriend

The US doesn't want to help the Bahamas and sure as hell doesn't want anyone else to.

[jpak]

8. Well maybe the US can help its neighbor - and not let China fill the vacuum.

This is not complicated.

Sheesh.

[Blue_true]

10. Under Trump, we could not effectively help our own island citizens.

You expect that clown to do a better job with the Bahamas? If it was not for the fact that they are OUR country people, China would have beaten us in helping Puerto Rico.

[pangaia]

11. Countries with U S military bases !!!

DUH !!!

China has been "moving in" throughout the world for some time, especially Africa and South America, especially economically--always, with a caveat.. same as the Imperial United States Government...
They practically OWN Toronto !! so to speak...

And who can blame them...?

They have already won this war with us.

This is 4 year old but..

Link to tweet

[roamer65]

12. Cuba and Venezuela have already taken Chinese loans.

If the Bahamians do, I don’t blame them one bit.

I’ve already sent money to the relief fund, so that’s money they won’t have to borrow.

[irisblue]

13. Considering the Chinese involvement in Africa

Not much a suprise.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

14. The pathetic irony of all this is....

the Chinese are buying influence around the globe using profits from OUR purchases of Chinese-made goods from our retailers.....toys, clothing, cell phones, stereos, TVs and millions of other products, AND Trump-branded products.

Think (almost) everything Walmart, Target, Costco and Amazon, for example.

A bit of hypocrisy, eh?.........