January 16 - 31 , 2017 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY A9
durianrepublic by JJ Atencio
Leni ’ s Leave
The big deal is not so much that VP Robredo has resigned as HUDCC Chair , but that she has left the cabinet .
The problem with HUDCC is that it ’ s simply a coordinating council . What was once the powerful Ministry of Human Settlements of the Marcos Era was downgraded by Ms . Aquino after EDSA 1 into an intrinsically powerless sub-cabinet position whose only saving grace was that its Chair sits in the cabinet .
And so once that privilege is taken away , there ’ s really
A top economic advisor to U . S . President Donald Trump has a message for Canadians .
Stephen Schwarzman said that Canada shouldn ’ t worry about the pending renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA .
Schwarzman is chair of the investment firm Blackstone Group , and he heads Trump ’ s Strategic and Policy Forum .
He told media in Calgary on January 23 that the U . S . takes an unusually positive view of Canada in terms of its trading relationship .
“ I don ’ t think [ Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ] should be enormously worried ,” Schwarzman said .
“ Canada is held in very high regard . We have balanced trade between the U . S . and Canada and that ’ s not the kind of situation where you should be worrying .”
Schwarzman added that not much left . That makes the resignation of VP Leni as HUDCC Chair look more like a forced one .
It should be understood that , while the HUDCC Chair is de-facto chairman of the key shelter agencies , the reality is that , except for NHA , they are corporations whose respective Boards and directors / trustees approve policies and implement programs that do not need any approval from HUDCC .
What ’ s quite unfortunate is that , politically , HUDCC and the housing portfolio
the familiarity between the two countries built over the last 150 years means Canada is a stable , known element for the newly-minted administration .
“ Canada is very wellpositioned for any discussions with the United States ,” he said . “ Americans have enormous admiration for Canada , and the amount of commercial linkages , cultural linkages are such that actually some people aren ’ t aware it ’ s not part of the United States some days . “ There ’ s a sense of enormous connection with Canada .”
Trudeau began a twoday retreat with his cabinet on January 23 , focused mainly on the best approach to take with new U . S . President Donald Trump , whose vow to renegotiate NAFTA could damage Canada ’ s economy .
Trump said on January 22 that he plans talks soon on the three-nation North American Free Trade Agreement , under which
Trivia question : How many Developers Conventions did VP Binay and Robredo attend during their term as HUDCC Chair ?
has become a default appointment for “ contrapartido ” politicians like Vice Presidents from another party . It ’ s a situation where a VP like De Castro , Binay or Robredo can be given a “ good enough looking ” portfolio and satisfy public sentiment , but not so major as to control a significant amount of executive resources , and use that to increase the political clout of someone who can be an opponent in the next elections .
It is with this backdrop that I say I pity the Vice
Canada and Mexico send the majority of their exports to the United States .
“ We will continue to work with the United States , seeking opportunities to improve our economic outcomes by enhancing our mutual trading relationship ,” Finance Minister Bill Morneau told reporters in Calgary .
Global Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland also spoke to reporters ahead of the cabinet meeting in Calgary .
“ We are very happy to be members of what I believe – what I think Canadians know to be – the very mutually beneficial NAFTA partnership . But , of course , our relationship with the United States is primarily a bilateral relationship ,” said Freeland when asked if Canada would be prepared to pursue a bilateral trade arrangement with the U . S . if it doesn ’ t serve Ottawa ’ s interests to include Mexico in the negotiations .
On January 23 , the new
President .
VP Robredo was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea . I leave it you to decide which is which , depending on what side of the political fence you ’ re sitting on right noOn one hand , as a cabinet member , the VP was expected to tow the line , and in fact support the major policy pronouncements of the President . Afterall , cabinet secretaries are alter-egos of the President who serve at his pleasure . There ’ s a big difference in being a yesman and a team player , and
Trump Advisor Assures Canada : Don ’ t Worry
U . S . president made good on one of his campaign promises , formally withdrawing the United States from the Trans- Pacific Partnership freetrade deal , and signalling his intention to renegotiate NAFTA “ at the appropriate time .”
Calling the move “ great news for American workers ,” Trump signed an executive order pulling the U . S . out of
President expects the latter from his cabinet .
But on the other hand , the VP is an elected official and therefore answerable to the people . That she is a member of a political party diametrically opposed to the President ’ s strong positions about issues like the Marcos burial and the war on drugs makes her presence in the President ’ s team conflicted to say the least . In this sense , her acceptance of a cabinet post was doomed from the start .
Trump key advisor tells Canada not to worry about NAFTA renegotiation
TPP , a pan-oceanic trade pact signed by his predecessor but never ratified .
The 12-nation trade deal had been a target of his wrath on the campaign trail . “ We are going to stop the ridiculous trade deals that have taken everybody out of our country and taking companies out of our country ,” Trump said after signing the order .
Philippines , U . S . see ... FROM A7
the primary disagreement between the Philippines and America is the issue of human rights and it seems that Trump doesn ’ t care much about human rights , just to be very frank about it . That is not his priority ,” he said .
The U . S . and the Philippines have a strong commercial partnership .
The U . S . is one of the largest foreign investors in the Philippines , and is the Philippines ’ third-largest trading partner .
The current stock of U . S . foreign direct investment stands above $ 4.7 billion , and the trade between the two
countries totaled more than $ 18 billion in 2015 .
Abella also welcomed Trump ’ s foreign policy direction , saying it “ promises a more placid and mutually beneficial relationship especially with long-standing allies like us .”
“ We find resonance with their intention to ‘ seek friendship and goodwill and reinforce existing alliances , without imposing America ’ s way of life on others .’ Our diplomatic ties need to reflect our long-standing relationship but under terms and conditions that protect our people ’ s interests ,” he said .
Abella also said the Palace respects the “ America first ” pronouncement of Trump .
“ In like manner national interest is the primary consideration that guides President Rodrigo Duterte . His pursuit of peace and order is the bedrock of economic inclusivity and selfsufficiency . Still , we recognize the indispensable need to strengthen relations with allied nations as our progress , prosperity and national wellbeing rely on such harmonious partnerships ,” Abella said .
“ The community of
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nations prospers as each one seeks its common good , and when it comes together to support the well-being of our common humanity ,” the Palace official added .
Chuasoto said the longstanding partnership between the Philippines and the U . S . would endure .
“ We believe friends help each other and utilize constructive engagement to achieve common goals of greater peace , progress and prosperity . We hope that the close ties between the Philippines and the US will continue to be strengthened in pursuit of common objectives , mutual interest and shared commitment to world peace ,” he said .
Chuasoto said the huge population of Filipino migrants in the U . S . would help strengthen ties . There are over three million Filipinos in the U . S ., according to the Department of Foreign Affairs .
“ The Filipino diaspora has a lot to account for in the strong people-to-people ties that bind the Philippines and the US … It is in this context
that Filipino-Americans continue to be an important bridge between our two countries ,” the diplomat said .