Barbuda MP Trevor Walker argued Tuesday that the government is negotiating from a position of weakness with the United States over the possible transfer of third-country nationals, saying Antigua and Barbuda “has no cards” because of existing U.S. visa restrictions and limited leverage.
Speaking during debate on a parliamentary resolution setting out principles to guide negotiations with Washington, Walker repeatedly challenged Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s approach, contending that the country is already facing some of the toughest U.S. visa restrictions in the region and therefore lacks bargaining power.
“I want Antiguans and Barbudans to hear me. Antigua and Barbuda don’t have no cards,” Walker said. “You have no cards.”
Walker said negotiation remained the appropriate course but questioned what Antigua and Barbuda hoped to secure in return for cooperating with the United States.
“If that’s what the government is going to do, then what are the reciprocal arrangements that’s being sought by Antigua and Barbuda?” he asked, adding that he did not believe the question was unreasonable.
He also said the matter should not be approached as a partisan issue because any agreement would affect all citizens.
“This matter ought not to be partisan and political because it will affect all of us,” Walker said.
Walker argued that Antigua and Barbuda was negotiating while already subject to heightened U.S. travel restrictions, noting that Antiguans are currently limited to 30-day visits to the United States. He recounted his own recent experience entering the country, saying a U.S. immigration officer reminded him of the restriction despite his intention to stay only four days.
He said the government should explain why Antigua and Barbuda has reached what he described as one of its most difficult periods in relations with the United States.
“The Prime Minister of this country has an obligation … to let Antiguans and Barbudans understand why Antigua and Barbuda at this time is placed in a position where things are almost at the highest element of hardship when it comes to United States travel restrictions,” Walker said.
Walker contrasted the current situation with Antigua and Barbuda’s relationship with the United States during the mid-2000s, when he said then-U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice commended the country for legislation promoting accountability and transparency.
He questioned whether the deterioration in relations was linked to concerns surrounding Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Programme, saying the public deserved a full explanation if that was the case.
The Barbuda representative also criticized CARICOM leaders for failing to develop a common regional position on the issue, arguing that small states would be in a stronger position if they negotiated collectively.
“These guys cannot sit down and come up with a common position so that this issue can be dealt with,” Walker said, urging the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and the wider CARICOM community to adopt a unified approach.
Walker further called for wider public consultation before any agreement is finalized, saying organizations including the Bar Association, Chamber of Commerce and civil society should have been engaged to build national consensus.
He said greater transparency would help the public better understand the implications of any arrangement with the United States.
Closing his contribution, Walker said whatever decision the government ultimately makes must protect Antigua and Barbuda’s economic interests, particularly tourism, while preserving citizens’ ability to travel, study and conduct business in the United States.
“Our access to the United States, to do business, to go to school … and also the whole question of our economic survival, which is tourism, all those things must be taken into consideration,” he said.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Walker says Antigua and Barbuda 'Has No Cards' in US Negotiations.