Marco Rubio Rips Italy for ‘Desire to Curry Favor with Chinese’

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) is speaking out about Italy’s reported willingness to sign onto the People’s Republic of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, telling Breitbart News that reports of the Italians’ openness to joining the Communist Party of China program is “stunningly naive.”

Rubio’s comments come in the wake of reports that Italy is signing onto the Belt and Road Initiative of Chinese president Xi Jinping later this month, which would make Italy the first G-7 nation to join the program.

“Italy’s reported desire to curry favor with the Communist Chinese government by endorsing the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ is stunningly naive,” Rubio told Breitbart News. “China’s goal is simple – undermine foreign competition by stealing intellectual property and trade secrets, and artificially propping up Chinese state-directed actors at the expense of its trading ‘partners’. As we in the U.S. are learning, the long-term economic and national security risks far outweigh any increases in Chinese foreign investment or increased exports to China. Until the Chinese government fundamentally alters its goals and methods, the U.S. and its allies should remain wary of tighter economic engagement.”

China’s Belt and Road Initiative is an effort by Beijing to build economic, cultural, and political influence through Eurasia, across mainland Asia into the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. The Financial Times broke the news of Italy’s reported desire to agree to China’s plans, quoting Michele Geraci–an undersecretary in Italy’s economic development industry–as saying that Rome intended to sign a memorandum of understanding with Beijing soon about the program.

“The negotiation is not over yet, but it is possible that it will be concluded in time for [Xi’s] visit,” Geraci said, per the Financial Times. “We want to make sure that ‘Made in Italy’ products can have more success in terms of export volume to China, which is the fastest-growing market in the world.”

White House officials are not pleased with Italy’s planned move.

“We view BRI as a ‘made by China, for China’ initiative,” White House National Security Council spokesman Garrett Marquis told the Financial Times. “We are sceptical that the Italian government’s endorsement will bring any sustained economic benefits to the Italian people, and it may end up harming Italy’s global reputation in the long run.”

The European Union (EU) was similarly critical of the move by Italy, and even some in Italian government were critical of the effort. More from the Financial Times piece:

Critics of the BRI have also emerged within the Italian government. Hours after the FT first reported the dispute between Washington and Rome, Guglielmo Picchi, undersecretary of state for foreign affairs and international co-operation and an MP from the coalition’s far-right League party called for “further reflection” within the government.

“Right now, I don’t think we should proceed with the signature,” Mr Picchi wrote on Twitter. Mr Picchi declined to comment further.

Geopolitically along the Asian Pacific Rim, this could also spell bigger trouble for the west and be even more of a boon for China than just being able to claim a G-7 European power as one of its Belt and Road Initiative signers. The democracy on Taiwan’s continued independence despite claims by the mainland Chinese Communists to sovereignty over Taiwan largely depends on continued relations with the Vatican, which is in Rome. The Vatican is one of a few nations worldwide, and perhaps the most powerful, that officially conducts diplomacy with Taiwan and not with Beijing. Beijing has refused to negotiate with countries that have official diplomatic ties with Taipei, Taiwan, and the Vatican for generations.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/03/08/exclusive-marco-rubio-rips-italy-for-desire-to-curry-favor-with-chinese/

Adelson has him busy

Raising eyebrows and security concerns, Kushner goes rogue in Saudi Arabia

The White House responded to the report declaring that, “This reporting is not true and the sources are misinformed,” emphasizing that the embassy had been involved Kushner's meetings.

Jared Kusher abandoned protocol in Saudi Arabia, when he was not accompanied by US Embassy officials during his official meetings in Riyadh in late February, US Embassy officials told the Daily Beast on Thursday.

Kusher, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump, is also a senior advisor to the president. He is tasked with brokering peace in the Middle East, a daunting task usually given to seasoned diplomats.

Kushner has made several unannounced visits to Saudi Arabia, often traveling with Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt. On this recent trip, he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and King Salman to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, US-Saudi cooperation and economic investments in the region, according to the report.

It is customary that when a US official travels abroad, the local embassy will help coordinate the trip and provide security. However, “The Royal Court was handling the entire schedule,” a congressional source told The Daily Beast. “But that is normal for his past trips.”

The White House responded to the report declaring that, “This reporting is not true and the sources are misinformed,” emphasizing that the embassy had been involved Kushner's meetings.

Kushner's high-level diplomatic meetings have caused some concern. Lawmakers told the Daily Beast that they did not know what was discussed during the meetings.

https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Raising-eyebrows-and-security-concerns-Kushner-goes-rogue-in-Saudi-Arabia-582819

Immigrant Deaths Under Trump Virtually Unchanged Since Obama Era

Immigrants detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Trump administration are dying at virtually the same rate as they did during the Obama administration.

During former President Barack Obama’s first year in office, 10 foreign nationals died in ICE custody. Five passed away in 2012, and 12 died in 2016, according to ICE data obtained by the Washington Examiner. The numbers are not far removed from President Donald Trump’s first two years in office.

Ten detainees died in 2017 and 12 died in 2018, according to the American Immigration Lawyers Association. There have been no reported deaths in fiscal year 2019 as of March 5.

Not only are current deaths on par with the Obama administration, but they remain far lower than the numbers from about 15 years ago. Thirty-two people died in calendar year 2004, and 20 died in 2005. A far larger number of foreign nationals were caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border during the 1990’s and early 2000s, which led to more immigrants being detained than is currently the case.

The data contradicts a narrative pushed by many Democrats that the current administration is less humane to foreign nationals that are caught trying to enter the country illegally.

“Madam Secretary, do you know how many children have died in CBP custody under your tenure as secretary?” New Mexico Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small asked Wednesday during a House congressional committee hearing with Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. “Can you give me the numbers and how many children have died?”

While speaking at a town hall in January regarding immigration, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi claimed Trump’s tenure was “a departure” from all modern presidencies, and blamed the deaths of two migrant children who died in custody on a lack of proper medical care.

https://dailycaller.com/2019/03/08/migrant-deaths-under-trump-not-increasing/