Antigua and Barbuda’s Foreign Affairs Minister, E.P Chet Greene, has defended the country’s diplomatic relations with China, saying the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country is continuing a policy adopted since its independence in 1981 of being ‘friends of all; enemies of none’.
In a newspaper column responding to criticisms of the Gaston Browne administration policies Greene, who is also the Minister of Trade and Immigration, said that while ‘some of it has been constructive but on the question of our foreign policy and our relationship with China, you have crossed from scrutiny into something that does this country no favours’.
Greene dismissed the notion that the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CBI) through which foreign investors are granted citizenship in return for making a substantial investment in the country’s socio-economic development ‘poses a threat to United States security is, frankly, a fabrication.
‘If you believe otherwise, bring irrefutable facts. Not insinuation. Not guilt by association. Not the comfortable echo chamber of your known animosity toward this administration. Facts,’ he wrote.
Greene said that there has never been a ‘single instance, not one, when Antigua and Barbuda’s relationship with China, through any policy, any programme announcement, or any implementation, drew open criticism from Washington or was averse to our own development interest.
‘Not one. That is because it does not exist. What exists is a partnership that has delivered concrete benefits to Antiguans and Barbudans: agricultural training that is already reshaping our food security, infrastructure that modernises our island and a diplomatic relationship built on mutual respect that stretches back to 1982, when the Father of the Nation had the vision to recognise an emerging China when others did not.’
Greene said that this is not about choosing sides, noting that Prime Minister Browne has said it plainly ‘We are friends of all; enemies of none.’
The Foreign Affairs Minister said that Antigua and Barbuda maintains strong ties with the United States, adding that ‘our soldiers train with SOUTHCOM, our security is bolstered by the U.S Coast Guard and the U.S is our number one trading partner.
‘We have never been asked to choose and we will not be manoeuvred into choosing. Our foreign policy serves Antigua and Barbuda’s national interests. Full stop. The geopolitical posturing you seem eager to amplify is not our fight.’
Greene quotes US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio as saying ‘this is our hemisphere’ and President Donald Trump’s warning that those who ‘destabilise it and threaten the United States will face consequences’.
‘That is their doctrine, their framing, their strategic posture. Antigua and Barbuda is not a base of operations for anyone and so those comments do not include us. We are a small island state trying to build a sustainable future for our people.
‘If Washington has concerns, the proper channel is diplomatic engagement. That is why we have and maintain an embassy in the U.S capital, staffed with experienced diplomats,’ Greene said, noting that the public criticisms do not strengthen the country’s position.
‘It weakens it by lending credibility to narratives that paint us as something we are not. China has been a reliable developmental partner to Antigua and Barbuda for over four decades. When others offered words, China offered roads, ports, training and opportunity.
‘The Father of the Nation understood in 1982 what some still refuse to acknowledge today: that small states must cultivate relationships with all who are willing to respect our sovereignty and contribute to our development,’ Greene said, adding ‘ingratitude is not a foreign policy. It is a character flaw.’
The Foreign Minister has sent out a challenge to those opposing the government’s policies.
‘Stop salaciously going into overdrive to tarnish Antigua and Barbuda’s good name. Stop dressing up personal animus as national concern. Bring facts, irrefutable, documented, verifiable facts or bring silence.
‘This country deserves better than uninformed and irresponsible commentary from someone who has never had to sit in the chair and make the hard decisions that sovereignty demands,’ Greene said, imploring people to ‘promote, protect and defend Antigua and Barbuda.
‘That is the posture of a patriot. Anything else is noise,’ Greene said.