By Derrick Scott
WASHINGTON, DC – President Donald Trump says he looks forward to working with Jamaica’s Andrew Holness administration on bilateral and Regional issues.
The president’s comments came during a courtesy call paid on him by Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Audrey Marks at the Oval Office in the White House.
President Trump and the ambassador in their exchange underscored the strong bond of friendship that has existed over the years between the people Jamaica and the United States of America, noting the contribution of Jamaica in many spheres of American life.
In her remarks, Ambassador Marks said she looked forward to working with the President in the interest of both countries.
The Jamaican Ambassador highlighted the synergies of the U.S.-Caribbean nexus, which cements the relationship between the United States and Jamaica.
Ambassador Marks in noting the President’s agenda of providing more trading opportunities for US companies, called attention to the significant trade surplus the US enjoys with the region.
She pointed to the fact that the Caribbean Basin Area is the United States’ 7th largest trading partner, importing non-oil goods and services of over US$50B and placing the Region ahead of U.S. exports to comparatively larger economies such as Russia and India combined.
She further noted the mutual benefit and alignment of interest for the continued stability and economic growth of the Caribbean Region, the United States ‘Third Border’.
The Jamaican envoy also took the opportunity to invite the President to visit Jamaica in his official capacity, when President Trump remarked about the beauty of the island.
