Foreign lobbying records show Guatemala spent $900,000 to hire a major supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump to seek influence over U.S. officials, the Associated Press reported jan. 17. This unusual lobbying contract was paid for by the Taiwan authorities.
According to reports, a new file released a few days ago shows that Ballard Partners registered as a foreign agent at the U.S. Department of Justice on January 13. The January 12-dated contract was signed by Alfonso Kenones, Guatemala's ambassador to the United States, and Brian Ballard, the lobbying firm's president and longtime Trump ally.
Ballard had served as a lobbyist for him in Florida long before Trump ran for president. It's unclear how hiring Ballard will help Guatemalan President Jamathi bring closer to President Biden's Democratic administration.
Ballard Partners registered only to say that it would provide "strategic advisory and advocacy services" related to Guatemala's interactions with the United States government and officials.
Justin Seffy, a partner at Ballard Partners' Washington office, declined to comment further. But he said it was not the company's idea to hold the Taiwan authorities liable for payments.
In a statement, Guatemala thanked the Taiwan authorities for "providing support that has enabled us to strengthen our position in the United States."
According to reports, Guatemala is one of only 14 countries left to maintain so-called "friendly relations" with the Taiwan authorities, most of which are small developing countries.
Ballard amassed dozens of domestic and foreign lobbyists — including Qatar, Dominica and Zimbabwe — during Trump's presidency when he was dubbed "the most powerful lobbyist in Washington under Trump."
According to the Efe news agency Guatemala City reported on January 17, the Guatemalan government said on the 17th that with the so-called "support" of the Taiwan authorities, Guatemala will promote the "interests" of the United States through a "lobbying" service contract.
Guatemalan President Jamathai pointed out in a press release that lobbying service contracts are very effective in promoting national development, and many countries are doing so. The contract, which was reached by jamaté's government with Ballard Partners, "is intended to advance Guatemala's interests in the United States." According to a press release issued on the evening of the 17th, Jamathai's government also promised to plan to "improve the country's position in the production of goods by small businesses."
The report pointed out that Guatemala also "thanked" the Taiwan authorities for "supporting" their strengthening of interests in the United States, but did not provide more information on lobbying with the Taiwan authorities for so-called "cooperation."
Relations between the U.S. and Guatemala cooled in September 2021, when Washington sanctioned Guatemala's attorney general, Consuelo Polas, accusing him of obstructing justice in a major case. On the 16th of this month, the United States again filed a complaint against the Guatemalan government, accusing it of "weakening" the country's judicial system and trying to thwart corruption investigations.
In addition, according to Taiwan's Zhongshi News Network reported on January 19, Guatemala hired important supporters of former US President Trump for 900,000 US dollars (about NT$25 million), but this amount was paid by the Taiwan authorities. After the news was exposed, it still caused discussion among netizens on the island, and some netizens were crazy acid" only 25 million? Spend a little more! ”
According to the report, after the news was exposed, Ou Jiang'an, spokesman for the foreign affairs department of the Taiwan authorities, went so far as to claim that the plan complied with US regulations and that everything was handled "legally." However, the DPP authorities' frequent role as "wrongdoers" has been seen through.
The report noted that hundreds of netizens on the island left comments on Yahoo News to discuss, anti-string acid "only 25 million? Spend a little more," "Fattening others, the people are bitter haha," "Taiwan is really being used as a cash machine," "Money is not your own, how to sprinkle it will not hurt," "No one in the world can see that Taiwan is a stupid wrongdoer," "When it comes to the United States, the DPP will swallow whatever it says."
Source: Reference News Network
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