By Ronald Mason From Jamaica Gleaner

Jamaica, into its 51st year of Independence, continues to have a footprint on world affairs that is significantly magnified. This island of less than three million total population has had a positive history of international dealings with many countries. We are respected in the fora of the United Nations, the Organisation of American States, the Commonwealth, and others. Is it conceivable that these relations will come under scrutiny over an inevitable choice?

Two current and timely events have given rise to the need for us to think on these things. Sir Ronald Sanders, a senior fellow at London University and former Caribbean diplomat, posited in a column: ‘US: Caribbean’s friend or unintentional foe?’ The column goes on to state in language which, given his diplomatic mantle, is worthy of note for being rather pointed. “In what has to rate as one of the most INSENSITIVE and OUTRAGEOUS DEMANDS (my emphasis) on a Caribbean country, US government representatives have told The Bahamas government that it must drop ‘all duties’ on US products entering the country as a condition of being admitted to membership of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).”

This is coming from the same US that pressures Jamaica, along with other Caribbean countries, to fight drug smuggling, human trafficking, and, generally, act as border patrol for them. You know we live in the ‘American Basin’ and should be honoured to be the third border for the USA. We must understand that despite the flattering rhetoric, the USA has a less-than-favourable regard for us.

Sir Ronald goes on to note: “China provides grants, low-cost loans for infrastructural projects, note our north-south highway project, hundreds of scholarships, and technical assistance.” Let us not be naive. All foreign aid comes with strings attached, but I wonder if we, as a country, do not have greater input in determining how the China-Jamaica aid will be applied rather than the USA-European Union-Jamaica aid. I have no recollection of China ever having expressed a public view on Jamaica’s stance against homosexuality or the use of hanging.

China and the USA are, currently, in a testing stage of their relations. Yes, they trade heavily, but this uneasy relationship can be recognised by the statement attributed to those whose opinions count. “There are growing concerns about what China is up to in the maritime space,” said Bonnie Glazer, a China expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. She added: “There’s a widely held view in the region that the US-China relationship is tipping toward being much more confrontational.”

This language is in the context of Sino-American trade being more than US$562 billion last year. Money is not acting as a restraint to the increasingly hard edge to the relationship. On April 9, 2014, Admiral Harry Harris, commander of the US Pacific fleet, told Australians: “I am concerned by the aggressive growth of the Chinese military, their lack of transparency, and a pattern of increasingly assertive behaviour in the region.”

This is to be contrasted with the statements from General Chang Wanguan, head of the China military, that they will make no compromise, no concessions, in disputes over territory and resources with Japan and the Philippines, and are READY TO FIGHT AND WIN ANY BATTLE (my emphasis).

The Jamaica-China bilateral trade rose to US$375 million in 2011. The Chinese are, at the moment, strengthening the development of China-Jamaica relations. The 18th CPC National Congress has given a mandate for the developing relations between China and Latin America and Caribbean countries. For some 50-plus years, China has been embracing what it calls the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. They are:

Mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Mutual non-aggression.

Non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.

Equality and mutual benefit.

Peaceful existence.

The USA projects a benign neglect, exerts pressure, and proffers friendship and shared values. China provides expanded presence, infrastructure, and personnel. Will we have to choose?

CONTROVERSIAL TAX LEVY

Every year we go through this cycle. Nobody wants to pay taxes, but everybody wants the Government to do more for their group. Do we really want the best for Jamaica? This Budget has been one of the most credible ones presented in a very long time. We all know that we are in an economic abyss, and we – all of us – have to lift ourselves out of it.

The much-talked-about bank levy is a very efficient and effective method of tax collection. We have to understand that if we do not tax now, we will have to borrow and tax later – at higher cost. That is what we must avoid. The 7.5 per cent primary surplus must be met. Other countries have used this method before, so this is nothing new. This method, however, must not last more than three tax cycles. It should have a sunset clause. Let us get on with the business of governance!

Ronald Mason is an immigration attorney-at-law, mediator, and talk-show host.

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