PM MANNING MEETS WITH U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT

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