7 News Belize

Trump Draws Line In Sand At State Of Union
posted (January 31, 2018)
Last night Americans and certainly people all over the world were tuned into President Donald Trump's State of the Union address. Everyone probably anxious and on edge, hanging on every word - waiting to hear what would come out of his mouth next. Trump discussed a number of topics including increased employment, tax cuts and reforms, immigration, national security and more. But among those matters, Trump also made it a point to revisit the outcome of December's UN General Assembly. That's where Trump declared Jerusalem the Capital of Israel. 128 countries including Belize rejected Trump's decision. Well in his State of The Union address, he made it clear that that vote marks a line in the sand. Here are his remarks and the explanation of what it means for Belize from the top ranking US Diplomat in Belize:

Donald Trump - President of the United States of America [via recording]
"Last month I also took an action endorsed unanimously by the US Senate just months before I recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Shortly afterward dozens of countries voted in the United Nations General Assembly against America's sovereign right to make this decision. In 2016 American taxpayers generously sent those same countries more than $20 billion dollars in aid. That is why tonight I am asking Congress to pass legislation to help ensure American foreign assistance dollars always serve American interest and only go to friends of American, not enemies of America."

Jules Vasquez - Reporter
"How does that square with Belize when we voted in favor of that resolution which condemns the US?"

Adrienne Galanek, Charge d'affaires - US Embassy
"I think that the vote in the UN is only one of several aspects of a relationship that our two countries share. And I think that you will see from the recent FY 18 budget request that Central American, and of course Belize is part of the region and figures closely in those budget requests."

Jules Vasquez
"However the president had asked the Congress not to approve requests for those who exhibited, what he interpreted as adversarial behavior. Will Belize suffer as a consequence of this America first type of policy?"

Adrienne Galanek, Charge d'affaires - US Embassy
"I believe that Belize is a strong partner with the United States. I cannot predict the future, I cannot predict what decisions Congress will make but our relationship and friendship with Belize remain strong."

Reporter
"What he also said was that he was going to ask Congress to spend money for the US interest. Should Belizean government agencies who partner with the US embassy in Belize be worried about that?"

Adrienne Galanek, Charge d'affaires - US Embassy
"I think that absolutely our goals with the government and people of Belize are in Belize's interests but of course also in the United State's interest."

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