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courage is contagious

Viewing cable 08PORTOFSPAIN289, PM MANNING MEETS WITH U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08PORTOFSPAIN289 2008-07-01 13:17 2011-08-30 01:44 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Port Of Spain
VZCZCXRO7325
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHSP #0289 1831317
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 011317Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9256
INFO RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000289 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR, WHA/EPSC 
PASS USTR FOR AUSTR EISSENSTAT, K.SHIGETOMI 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL EPET ECIN ENRG TD
SUBJECT: PM MANNING MEETS WITH U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY 
 
1. (SBU) SUMMARY:  During U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Tom 
Donohue's June 26 courtesy call on Prime Minister Patrick Manner, 
the PM opined that the Caribbean was neglected by Washington. 
Highlighting the important role Trinidad plays in U.S. energy 
security, Manning lamented that the U.S. had not stepped up to 
the plate on security cooperation.  He also reiterated an interest 
in securing duty free access to U.S. markets for packaged goods, 
iron, and aluminum.  Donohue asked the PM to elaborate on concerns 
about Trinidad's relations with the U.S. at a later date and 
indicated his willingness to follow up the PM's concerns in 
Washington. 
 
 END SUMMARY 
 
2. (SBU) In Port of Spain to speak at the Association of American 
Chambers of Commerce in Latin America (AACCLA) conference, Tom 
Donahue, President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, together with 
Adrean Rothkopf, John Murphy, Jim Robinson, and Scott Eisner of the 
Chamber, Raymond Gatcliffe, President of the American Chamber of 
Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago, and EconOff, paid a courtesy call 
on Prime Minister Patrick Manning on July 26. Donahue recapped his 
AACCLA speech for the Prime Minister in which he emphasized the 
substantial increase in trade in the region and encouraged the 
nations of the Americas to reject protectionism and collaborate to 
improve the region's competitive position. 
 
3. (SBU) Latching onto the theme of collaboration, the Prime 
Minister lamented the alleged lack of U.S. support for the Caribbean. 
Manning stated bluntly "the U.S. has not treated the Caribbean well." 
He noted that T&T supplies the U.S. with significant amounts of LNG 
(as well as methanol and ammonia) and thereby plays a critical role 
in U.S. energy security.  Despite its strategic importance, Trinidad 
has not received sufficient support from the U.S. on security matters. 
Using the war on drugs as an example, Manning said his nation has to 
"fight" to secure U.S. assistance to address a problem stemming from 
North American demand. 
 
4. (SBU) Turning to energy infrastructure security, the PM 
acknowledged Trinidad's vulnerability to an attack.  He then 
highlighted the implications of disruptions in local LNG production 
for U.S. energy security and suggested that we were not doing enough 
to protect a vital supplier.  Given the significant volume of LNG 
produced on a daily basis in Trinidad for the U.S. market, Manning 
asserted that an attack on T&T's facilities would severely disrupt 
operations along the U.S. eastern seaboard and spike natural gas 
prices.  Again emphasizing T&T's importance to U.S. energy security, 
the PM stated "if the U.S. does not appreciate" Trinidad, "we will 
move away" and explore new markets, such as Mexico and Brazil.  He 
asserted that T&T can secure better terms in other markets. 
 
5. (SBU) On trade preferences, the Prime Minister noted the 
Caribbean has "needs," one of which is duty free access for iron, 
aluminum, petrochemicals, and most importantly goods packaged in the 
region. Given the small size of the Caribbean market, granting the 
region duty free access would have little impact on U.S. markets but 
would be of significant benefit to the 5 million people living in the 
region. 
 
6. (SBU) Donahue thanked the Prime Minister for T&T's commitment to 
U.S. energy security and expressed concern about his comments on 
U.S.-Caribbean relations.  Donahue told the PM that he intends to 
take a close look at the issues raised and asked him to provide 
specifics at a later date.  He further noted that security, in all 
respects, is only strengthened when there is collaboration.  Donahue 
suggested that the U.S. must maintain good relations with its current 
energy suppliers, while looking for new resources in the Outer 
Continental Shelf and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  Finally, 
Donahue invited the PM to visit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 
Washington to meet with key business leaders. 
 
7. (SBU) COMMENT: This is not the first time the Prime Minister has 
expressed dissatisfaction with U.S. engagement in the region, though 
at other moments he has been more upbeat.  Trinidad considers itself 
a good friend of the U.S., but more than occasionally gives the 
impression it feels neglected.  Continuing engagement, including 
pointing out our myriad ties and pressing T&T to live up to its 
somewhat-inflated self-image as a close ally, will be valuable to 
counter that trend.  Such engagement can be bilateral, including on 
the energy front, but also multilateral in areas such as regional 
security and preparing for the Summit of the Americas.  END COMMENT. 
 
AUSTIN