Leah Francis Campos says curtailing Chinese influence in DR will be a priority if confirmed as US ambassador

[Dolores]

During the US Senate confirmation hearing, US ambassador nominee to the Dominican Republic, Leah Francis Campos spoke of how counteracting the growing influence of China in the Dominican Republic would be a priority of her administration. “…. I will work tirelessly to counter the Chinese Communist Party’s influence in the Dominican Republic and throughout the hemisphere,” she said during the confirmation hearing.

She spoke of what she described as the “robust, dynamic relationship between the two countries. More than two million Americans of Dominican heritage reside in the US, five million US tourists visit the DR every year. The US enjoys a more than US$5.5 billion trade surplus with the DR with more than US$30 billion in bilateral trade. “These connections provide a strong foundation for collaboration on key issues that impact both of our nations,” she said.

She also said that among her top priorities, if confirmed, will be to work closely with the Dominican government to...

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[Ecoman1949]

Good bless her for her proposed agenda but two items are going to be virtually impossible for her to achieve. Reducing Chinese influence and working towards a positive outcome in Haiti. The Chinese are in the DR to stay for economic reasons, loan funding and the import of its products. That’s not going to change. She should be more concerned about the DR increasing diplomatic and economic ties with Russia. Haiti as we all know is still in a downward spiral. More US funding and military support might slow the spiral but I doubt if she could influence the Trump Administration to make that commitment. The rest of her agenda is more realistic.

 

[windeguy]

USAID for military funding in the DR is very unlikely.

I agree that the Chinese probably already have their hooks in too deep.. I was sad to see that happen.

 

[CristoRey]

She certainly has her work cut out for her.

 

[drstock]

I would say that the DR's relationship with China is none of her business.

Re. trying to find a positive solution for Haiti, the DR needs all the help it can get and should welcome it.

 

[Notengo]

I would say that the DR's relationship with China is none of her business.

Re. trying to find a positive solution for Haiti, the DR needs all the help it can get and should welcome it.

My thought as well, if China is the most important topic for an US-DR ambassador she is in the wrong place. She should be stationed in Beijing.

 

[PJT]

The DR is a sovereign nation and will do as it wishes, regardless of what the nominee says about counteracting Chinese influence in the country. The DR's best agenda is to be teasing for its own gain and take advantage of China and the US courting the country.

Regards,

PJT

 

[slinger]

My soul and sister are too valuable to rent to the devil.

 

[Ecoman1949]

The DR is a sovereign nation and will do as it wishes, regardless of what the nominee says about counteracting Chinese influence in the country. The DR's best agenda is to be teasing for its own gain and take advantage of China and the US courting the country.

Regards,

PJT

Exactly and President Abinader appears to have the political acumen to sit on the fence with both countries. DR relations with Russia will be the issue if it rises to a level where it becomes a concern for the US administration.

 

[Ecoman1949]

My soul and sister are too valuable to rent to the devil.

Slinger. We all sell or rent out our souls to the devil to some degree. It’s so damned tempting. We bend our ethics to take the easy way out. That’s human nature. Selling your soul is the easy part. Livening with the consequences of your actions is the hard part. I’m sure there are times the President regrets his alliance with China.

 

[windeguy]

China is the biggest threat in the world today. So that is why the USA will use whatever influence it can to reduce Chinese influence anywhere in the world.
The Chinese have screwed a number countries already with their influence granting loans that cannot be paid back, taking over ports, etc, The Chinese are playing the long game in world dominence. Hopefully the DR will not help China go down that path while falling victim to Chian any more than it already has.
But that is wishful thinking.