President Donald Trump has brought a most welcome America First approach to policy.
Aside from the clowns still clinging to this obviously-fake-Democrat-concocted-and-paid-for Trump-Russia-collusion nonsense, it is obvious to anyone paying any attention at all that – no matter whether or not you agree with his policy positions – they are being made through this America First prism.
Every policy Trump announces – is presented with references to these things being done to benefit America and the American people.
It is a glorious and most refreshing change of pace.
To wit: When Trump worked with Congressional Republicans to pass tax cuts – Trump said it was done to allow Americans to keep more of the money they earn.
And to make the American economy much more hospitable to businesses – which would entice businesses to return to or establish roots here.
And bring their glorious money (back) with them.
U.S. Companies Are Stashing $2.1 Trillion Overseas to Avoid Taxes
How’d that work out?
Guess What? Companies Are Bringing Their Cash Home: “Tax reform seems to be working in at least one way.”
Apple, Capitalizing on New Tax Law, Plans to Bring Billions in Cash Back to U.S.
Apple, Tech Companies to Bring Back $400 Billion
And with their glorious money – come glorious new jobs and more coin for employees.
Strong Hiring in May Cuts Unemployment Rate to 18-Year Low
List of Tax Reform Good News: “Click on your state below to see examples of pay raises, bonuses, 401(k) match increases, expansions, and utility rate reductions due to the Republican tax cuts.”
As I believe Trump will tell you – every dollar returning to the United States counts.
And as I believe Trump would think – foreign governments blocking Americans from bringing home their coin…is decidedly unfair. It ain’t America First. And it must be addressed.
To wit:
The Port Fund for KGL Investment Company (KGLI) had a Successful Exit of its Investments:
“KGL Investment Company (KGLI) announced the successful exit of The Port Fund investments doubling its Fund’s capital from $188 million to $380 million and generating an annual return of %10 over 10 years.”
As Trump would say – that’s winning.
But KGL made much of its money in Kuwait – and now wants to return much of it to the US. Enter Middle East cronyism.
The Kuwaiti and Dubai governments – have frozen KGLs coin for no reason whatsoever. Well, no legitimate reason.
Behold Agility Logistics. A Kuwaiti company – with close ties to the Kuwaiti government. Agility’s CEO, Essa Anwar Al-Saleh – is a former Chairman of Kuwait’s Gulf Bank. So he exercised significant power over Kuwaiti commerce and finance.
And it appears Al-Saleh still does. Agility is a KGL competitor – with the home court advantage. The Kuwaiti government appears to be freezing KGLs coin – to benefit Agility.
Oh – and Agility has…a bit of a history. Of defrauding the US government. Specifically – the Department of Defense:
“The Defense Logistics Agency suspended Agility, which specializes in logistics, in November 2009 after its parent company Public Warehousing Company K.S.C. was indicted in Atlanta on $6 billion in fraud charges stemming from food services contracts for troops in Iraq, Kuwait and the Middle East region.”
Agility has…a bit of a history.
Defense Contractor Resolves Criminal, Civil and Administrative Liability Related to Food Contracts: “Agility Pays $95 Million and Gives Up $249 Million in Claims to DOD.”
Oh – and Agility looks for cronyism…anywhere they can get it.
Kuwait Called on Hillary Clinton to Nix Criminal Fraud Case Against Defense Contractor Agility:
“In 2009, Kuwait called on then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to intervene with the Justice Department and help nix a criminal fraud case against a Kuwait defense contractor Agility Public Warehousing Company….
“In a letter to Clinton dated December 5, 2009, then Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Mohammed Al-Sabah writes that ‘in consideration of the special relations between our two friendly countries, we ask that this dispute be settled amicably without having to resort to criminal adjudication.’
“Kuwait has donated between $5 million and $10 million to the Clinton Foundation.”
It would appear there are Swamps to Drain – even in the desert.
Trump could take a huge step towards said Drain – by stepping up for KGL. And demanding Kuwait free up their coin – so they can bring it back to the US.
Or, frankly, wherever else KGL wishes to bring it. It is, after all, their coin.
As an American company – it would be a very America First thing for Trump to do.
This first appeared in Red State.