Taiwan pays $900,000 for ally Guatemala to lobby Washington

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It's unusual for a government to be paying the fees for lobbying for another government, but it's 'not illegal'.

MIAMI — Guatemala has hired for $900,000 a major supporter of former President Donald Trump to seek influence with U.S. officials in an unusual lobbying contract paid for by its ally Taiwan, foreign lobby records show.with the U.S. Justice Department on Jan. 13, according to filings made public over the weekend. The contract, dated Jan. 12, was signed by Alfonso Quinonez, Guatemala's ambassador to the U.S., and Brian Ballard, president of the namesake lobbying firm and a longtime Trump ally.

In its registration, Ballard only said it would provide “strategic consulting and advocacy services” related to Guatemala's interactions with the U.S. government and U.S. officials. Responding to questions from The Associated Press, Taiwanese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou on Tuesday said the arrangement followed the principle of “mutual assistance and mutual benefit to promote pragmatic diplomacy," based on the needs of governments friendly to Taiwan.

Recently, Beijing secured diplomatic recognition from Guatemala's neighbors Nicaragua and El Salvador. Honduras’ new president, Xiomara Castro, as a candidate also threatened to open ties to Beijing but but has since backtracked on the idea.

 

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