In order to improve relations between "friends" and the United States, the Taiwan authorities are quietly spending a lot of money to buy lobbyists for Guatemala.
Reuters reported on the 19th that the Guatemalan government said on Monday local time that Guatemala has signed a lobbying contract with a US company to publicize the country, and the huge contract costs are paid by the Taiwan authorities.
Screenshot of the Reuters report
According to documents made public over the weekend, the government of Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei hired a Washington-based partner at the lobbying firm Ballard with an annual salary of $900,000 (about NT$25 million), or $75,000 a month, to be paid by the Taiwan authorities. Guatemala said in a statement, "Thanks to Taiwan's support, this will enhance our position in the United States." ”
Ballard Partners registered as a foreign agent at the U.S. Department of Justice on Jan. 13, the Associated Press said. The lobbying contract was signed on Jan. 12 by Alfonso Quinones, Guatemala's ambassador to the United States, and Brian Ballard, president of Ballard Partners.
According to US media reports, Ballard Partners is headquartered in Florida, and CEO Brian Ballard is a long-time partner of former US President Trump, who played for him as his lobbyist in Florida long before Trump ran for president.
In a 2018 article on the US website Politician, Ballard was described as "Trump's most influential lobbyist in Washington", and the company has extensive ties to Republican establishment figures.
Brian Ballard Infographic
After signing the contract with Guatemala, Brian Ballard said his activities would include advising and assisting the Guatemalan Embassy in Washington, D.C., and communicating with U.S. government officials.
The Guatemalan government said the one-year contract with Ballard would focus on strategic communication, investment expansion and the promotion of tourism.
Reuters said the lobbying contract could have emerged to resolve tensions between Guatemala and the United States.
President of Guatemala Alejandro Jamat Infographic
The Associated Press report quoted legal experts as saying that it is rare for one "government" to pay another government for lobbying.
However, Taiwan's foreign affairs department defended its "reasonableness," saying that the Taiwan authorities "have always followed the principle of mutual assistance and mutual benefit to promote down-to-earth diplomacy" and formulated a bilateral cooperation framework based on "the needs of friendly governments," and that the plan complies with U.S. regulations and that "everything is handled legally."
Taiwan's "China Times News Network" reported that the DPP's frequent "Kaizi diplomacy" has been seen through. Netizens on the island ridiculed the DPP, saying that "only 25 million? Spend a little more", "Taiwan is really used as a cash machine", "Money is not its own how to sprinkle will not hurt", "When it comes to the United States, the DPP will swallow whatever it says"...
Screenshot of the report of the China Times News Network
Guatemala is one of Taiwan's only 14 remaining "countries with diplomatic relations." Russia's satellite news agency reported that since Tsai Ing-wen came to power in 2016, Taiwan's "countries with diplomatic relations" have decreased from 22 to 14.
At the 2022 Macro Situation Annual Forum yesterday (18th), Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng pointed out in response to an inquiry that it is sooner or later that (Taiwan's so-called" "countries with diplomatic relations" will be cleared. Nicaragua recently resumed diplomatic relations with me, and this is the trend of the times and the aspirations of the people, representing international justice and historical inevitability.