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1. Soft power works,
& Ireland has it by the bucketload when it comes to the US.
The combination of diasporic heritage + sense of moral achievement in @BelfastAgmt is hard to beat.
Congressman Richie Neal described entering the room in Belfast like a 'high school reunion'.
2/6
& Ireland has it by the bucketload when it comes to the US.
The combination of diasporic heritage + sense of moral achievement in @BelfastAgmt is hard to beat.
Congressman Richie Neal described entering the room in Belfast like a 'high school reunion'.
2/6
2. There is a strong US sense of ownership of @BelfastAgmt.
As Richie Neal put it to the audience in Belfast: "It is our agreement too."
And they recognise the GFA is not just a domestic concern.
Pelosi noted at the same event "what it means to the world as an example".
3/6
As Richie Neal put it to the audience in Belfast: "It is our agreement too."
And they recognise the GFA is not just a domestic concern.
Pelosi noted at the same event "what it means to the world as an example".
3/6
3. The congressional delegation have been unequivocal in their negative views of #Brexit.
Speaker Pelosi told the Belfast audience that it is an aberration to the conversation about future peace, and to the courage, hope & optimism needed to sustain it in NI.
Strong stuff.
4/6
Speaker Pelosi told the Belfast audience that it is an aberration to the conversation about future peace, and to the courage, hope & optimism needed to sustain it in NI.
Strong stuff.
4/6
4. But what does it matter? Well.
Get this:
Many of this same congressional delegation are on the United States House Committee on Ways and Means.
Yes, the same one that deals with US trade agreements.
Richie Neal chairs that Committee, for goodness' sake.
5/6
Get this:
Many of this same congressional delegation are on the United States House Committee on Ways and Means.
Yes, the same one that deals with US trade agreements.
Richie Neal chairs that Committee, for goodness' sake.
5/6
5. For all, US deals with China, NAFTA 2.0 & TTIP take precedence over a FTA with UK.
UK wd already be relatively small fry in such negos.
If it comes to table having risked hard @BorderIrish & stability in NI to get to that point, it'll hv made itself politically toxic too.
6/6
UK wd already be relatively small fry in such negos.
If it comes to table having risked hard @BorderIrish & stability in NI to get to that point, it'll hv made itself politically toxic too.
6/6
