Forget Trump’s nonsense, US wants to do business: Philadelphia Mayor
THE Democrat Mayor of Philadelphia has said US cities need to build their own overseas relationships independent of the Trump administration as he visited Belfast yesterday.
Jim Kenney ( top right), who has been an outspoken critic of US President Donald Trump (right), said it was down to the cities to put “a good American face” on foreign relations.
Mr Kenney was part of a business delegation from the City of Brotherly Love paying a visit to Ireland and Britain.
“The face of the Trump administration in Europe is not a good one and we need to make sure we explain to our friends in Europe and other places in the world that New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, DC, Austin, don’t agree with this administration on many things,” he said.
On the implications for US foreign direct investment in Northern Ireland in the face of Trump’s increasingly protectionist approach to trade, Mr Kenney said: “Cities need to operate and act independent from the Trump administration.
“It would be easier if the President of the United States was making comments and saying things that were encouraging the process to conclude in a positive way. I don’t see that leadership. If it were Obama, even George W Bush, you would have a different
tone. “We need to continue to maintain those friendships, despite what nonsense he’s up to.”
He said Brexit was now firmly on the radar for many US businesses, but dismissed the notion that a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and the United States could be hatched easily.
“It’s not going to be easy,” he insisted. “That’s why it’s important that cities continue to show a face of goodwill and co-operation despite what happens in Washington. We’re concerned about Brexit.”
Part of a five-day tour, the visit to Belfast was brought about through the work of entrepreneurs Stephen Rice of Upskill Enterprise and John Matthews from The Talent Spot.
The pair helped convince the delegation from Philadelphia and wider Pennsylvania to include Belfast in its itinerary.
The tour yesterday took in the Catalyst Inc complex in the Titanic Quarter, Danske Bank’s new fintech hub in Donegall Square and the Ulster Bank accelerator programme.
Discussions also took place with economic development agency Invest NI at Belfast City Hall.
Part of the delegation also visited the north west.
Mr Kenney said while he was keen to encourage US firms to invest here, yesterday’s visit was equally about convincing businesses here on the merits of Philadelphia. Craigavon-based pharma firm Almac already has extensive operations in the state of Pennsylvania.
“Because we’re between Washington DC and New York, we’re often overlooked,” he said.
“The biggest advantage is that it’s very inexpensive to do business in Philadelphia. It’s twice as expensive in New York, it’s a third more expensive in Boston and DC.
“I think that the opportunities are there. We have 100 universities, medical centres, an economy that’s getting better and a willingness to be open to other folks from other countries.”