Trump’s Backup Bunch Takes the Stage at Lima Summit
The once-all-star lineup of U.S. officials had to swap the presidency for a top‑notch trio, because President Donald Trump pulled out at the last minute. Why? A plot twist in Syria forced him to focus on “possible poison gas attacks” – while his family and aides swooped in to keep the show going.
Who’s in the Hot Seat?
- Ivanka Trump — the heiress and boss, now front‑lining women’s economic empowerment.
- Mike Pence — Vice‑President, taking a front‑row seat on trade talk.
- Jared Kushner — the President’s brother‑in‑law, dean of the “in‑house” advisors squad.
“We’re ready to go,” Ivanka announced with the kind of confidence one uses when convincing your kids that broccoli is indeed their best friend.
What’s on the Agenda?
While the scene had to be brightened by 100 percent of the media, the summit still tackled big regional headaches:
- Venezuela – an “isolationist” stance because Mr. Maduro’s governance isn’t exactly a democracy champ.
- Mexico–U.S. Relations – Nafta renegotiations plus a wall that’s probably more of a suggestion than a reality.
- Corruption Wars – Brazil’s Lula in jail, Peru’s president stepping down (before the big day).
Nafta: The Final Frontier
Trump was saying he’d “pursue fair and reciprocal trade” around the region. The big ticket? A potential trade war with China, whose investment in Latin America has businesses feeling a French “bonjour” of concern. Mr. Trump’s comments were aimed at pulling back what he perceives as foreign economic aggression.
In the words of a higher‑up at the White House: “We don’t have anything new to announce on Nafta. Negotiations are still in progress.”
How Latin America Saw It
“A few Latin American analysts were like, ‘Trump, Latin America is at the level of your VP,’” told former Costa Rican VP, Kevin Casas. He added, “This is the signal everyone is warming to – and sooner or later, China’s going to read it too.”
Overall, the summit was no cat‑cat‑purring a… it was a full‑on, “let’s get this right” vibe – with or without the President in attendance.
