06132019 BUSINESS

business@tribunemedia.net

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2019

$4.90 Airline refutes ‘bad deal’ claim •SAYS D’AGUILAR’S INSINUATION ‘INACCURATE AND ILL-INTENTIONED’ •CLAIMS GOVT OWES MORE THAN $500K IN RENT

By NATARIO MCKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net WESTERN Air yesterday pushed back against suggestions the lease of its San Andros terminal to the Airport Authority was a politically motivated “bad deal”, stating such insinuation was “inaccurate and ill-intentioned”.

“There was no political basis or unscrupulous nature about this business transaction and any insinuation of such is inaccurate and ill-intentioned,” the airline said in a statement yesterday, asserting the government owes over $500,000 for more than a year’s rent.

The Bahamian-owned airline which has its headquarters in San Andros was responding to recent statements by Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar. During his budget contribution in Parliament last week, Mr D’Aguilar claimed the Christie administration had ordered the Airport Authority to enter into an “egregious” deal with Western Air to ease its terminal in San Andros to the tune

SEE PAGE 3

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Taxicab Union (BTCU) yesterday expressed frustration over government failure to remedy an issue which has now left 30-40 drivers out of work, its president suggesting that government is “clueless” regarding how to untangle the “mess” the industry is in.

Wesley Ferguson, BTCU president told Tribune Business existing owners of taxi cab plates were exploiting the government’s plan to clean-up the industry by

By NATARIO MCKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

T

HE long-running dispute between the Morton Bahamas and the union representing linestaff appears to still be far from a resolution, with the latter slamming the company’s latest proposal as “egregious”.

Jennifer Brown, pictured, president of the The Bahamas Industrial Manufacturers & Allied Workers Union (BIMAWU) yesterday expressed disappointment over the proposal, noting the union had been waiting months to get back to the negotiating table.

“After waiting months to get back to the table the company’s position has not changed,” said Ms Brown of the company’s June 11 counterproposal.

“They proposed a 1.5 percent pay increase to their workers, yet have grossly increased health insurance payments, which is viewed by the employees as a modern-day slave trade. This is clearly a deficient contract that lacks vision and financial advancement of its workers.”

She continued: “An excerpt of the preamble

seizing plates back from drivers before this can be put into effect.

“There are about 30-40 drivers who have had their plates seized. They have been out of work now for roughly a month. We were assured that something would be done, that these people would be given some form of relief, a temporary plate or something so they could work and have some form of income until the government figures this thing out. We gave the minister an opportunity to address this

SEE PAGE 3

AML centre pays tribute to 30-year director

By FARRAH JOHNSON AML Foods Limited yesterday opened their new learning and development centre in Nassau, dedicating the building to Frank J Crothers who has served as one of the company’s board of directors for 30 years.

The centre, which can accommodate up to 250 members, was built to facilitate staff training throughout the organisation, in an effort to ensure further growth across AML’s brands and services.

Speaking at the official opening, AML President Gavin Watchorn said he was

$4.56

Union slams Morton’s offer to break dispute deadlock

Taxi union berates govt over licence plates job losses

By NATARIO MCKENZIE

$4.59

“very proud” of the learning centre, which he stated was a “tangible representation” of the commitment AML has made to the “development” of its people.

“This represents an initial investment of $600,000 in total, which is an addition to our $100,000 that we spent in Freeport last year to create a smaller facility for our Grand Bahama employees,” he said.

“We know that customer loyalty is one of the number one drivers—if not the number one driver for long-term success and development...so people

SEE PAGE 3

$4.59

ROMAULD FERREIRA

Ferreira insists low cost homes ‘overpriced’ by nearly $60,000

By NATARIO MCKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

MORTON Salt compound, Great Inagua, Bahamas. to the constitution states that no man, woman or child shall ever be slaves in the islands of The Bahamas.

It’s obvious that they can’t be taken at face value. The officers of the union were told that ‘you give us salt, we will give you money’.

Well the workers have done their part. The company, however, has rescinded that statement. It is obvious that they don’t give a hill of beans about their workers and are not trustworthy.

How much longer do the

people have to suffer at the hands of Pharaoh.”

The salt harvester, Inagua’s largest employer, previously told Tribune Business it was aiming to achieve a “comprehensive and fair” industrial agreement with the Bahamas Industrial, Manufacturers and Allied Workers Union (BIMAWU) even though the relationship between the two sides remains strained.

Morton Salt’s spokesman, Paul Jackiewicz, in recent statement said: “We hope to resolve the ongoing negotiations soon with a comprehensive and fair

labour agreement that maintains a safe and successful facility for our employees.”

The union has in recent months gone public over its dispute with Morton Salt regarding a new industrial agreement. Ms Brown recently told this newspaper that the union, which represents some 100-line staff, had been been “pushed” to take strike action after the company made no improvements to its purported counter-offer. The threat of industrial unrest has loomed over Morton Salt’s Inagua operations since late last year.

ENVIRONMENT Minister Romauld Ferreira has again hit out at housing developer Arawak Homes, asserting during his budget communication the company had “overpriced” homes in the Ardastra Gardens Subdivision by as much as $60,000.

Arawak Homes president Franon Wilson, however, strongly denied those claims yesterday telling Tribune Business: “Our response simply is that the honourable minister is wrong on a number of fronts, period.”

Mr Ferreira said during his 2019/2020 budget communication on Tuesday evening: “By way of a memorandum of understanding, Arawak Homes constructed homes in the Ardastra Gardens Phase III subdivision.

The government paid for all for the infrastructure in this area and gave them the land for free. The developer or design builder Arawak

SEE PAGE 3

PAGE 2, Thursday, June 13, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

OPEN DAY FOR ONE ELEUTHERA FOUNDATION THE campus of the Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) in Rock Sound, Eleuthera was recently the site of an open house hosted by the One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF).

The post-Earth Day open house was timed to honour the 7th anniversary of OEF which was founded on Earth Day, 2012. In addition, the celebration recognised the 9th year of progress towards the ideals expressed by residents for the development of Eleuthera. These ideals were documented in the 2010 publication, “A Shared Vision for South Eleuthera”.

The event presented an opportunity to experience firsthand the work of OEF and its strategic partners such as CTI, The South Eleuthera Mission, One Eleuthera Cooperative Credit Union Ltd, South Eleuthera Emergency Partners and Artist Oasis Bahamas. Strategic partners work collaboratively with OEF in the pursuit of sustainable social and economic development that is rooted in five key areas. These five pillars are identified as critical for the sustainable development of Eleuthera; they include health and wellness, economic development, culture and heritage, education and the environment.

The Centre for Training and Innovation, which offers vocational training and

professional development programmes and entrepreneurship training, also encompasses a training hotel, restaurant and farm. This model mirrors an approach offered in A Shared Vision, page 20, to renew the land, “We need creative education, conservation in education… vegetables can be grown in school. All of the schools should have environmental education and training for entrepreneurs.”

Guests were treated to an extensive tour of the campus and administration building.

Many reminisced on their past experiences at the property in its former days as the Rock Sound Club. Others enjoyed learning about the rich history of the site (which dates back to the late 1940s) and the outstanding botanical specimens including various species of palms, a large Blue Agave succulent (the plant that tequila is made from), Silk Cotton trees and Cuban Royal Palms, some of which are estimated to be more than 60 years old.

A highlight of the day were the farm tours with native teas, expertly prepared the oldfashioned way by resident farmer, Colette Butterfield.

Delicious fevergrass, mint, mango, guava and soursop leaf teas delighted even the children. Colette embraced the opportunity to practice re-using by ensuring that

DISCUSSING membership and benefits of The Foundation.

TEMPESS Johnson guides church group around CTI. everyone saved their tea cups for reuse as seedling planters. This illustrated how simply we can limit our consumption of resources, reduce waste to landfills and thread just a bit more gently on the earth. Children could be seen with their parents, picking mulberries, examining pineapples in various stages of growth and interacting with the goats in the livestock enclosure. The recently constructed plant nursery was also a favourite, with many guests expressing their interest in purchasing seedlings and plants for home gardens.

Passersby will soon be able to stop at the new farm stand along Queen’s Highway, to purchase fresh farm produce and seedlings from the nursery. This focus on

farming and a return to the land embraces the idea that “local sustainable agriculture and gardening programs can foster stronger community values and provide skills to children and young adults”.

The skill of CTI’s students is also evident in the construction and restoration of furniture and the construction of the new carpentry building. A building remnant dating back to the Rock Sound Club era was incorporated into the design and construction of the carpentry building. Recent solar installations are visible on the roof of The Tea Room and the water cistern. The installations will power The Retreat Hotel as well as the irrigation system for the farm. Embracing renewable energy reduces the dependence on

expensive imported fuel, reduces operating expenses and is a more environmentally friendly option than fossil fuels.

Also present at the open house was local artist Shorlette Francis, of Artist Oasis Bahamas, who dazzled visitors with the array and beauty of artistic creations possible using crushed glass.

She talked visitors through the various stages from trash to treasures, including sorting, crushing, filtering to size and coloring crushed glass.

A diverse range of byproducts were available, from polished concrete countertops and vanity samples to jewelry, mosaics and acrylic coasters. Several settlement leaders noted that waste management is a critical health and environmental issue in Eleuthera (A Shared Vision… page 24); the recycling project, which attracts many local and visiting volunteers, is an outstanding example of integrating education, environmental protection, job creation and artistic expression.

The recycling plant and glass crushing operation is a project overseen by CTI. The plant operates at the South Eleuthera Emergency Partners (SEEP), Tarpum Bay Emergency Operation Centre. The Board of Directors of OEF joined in on site tours and lunch at The Tea Room while interacting with visitors including Steven Bellot of Roots Landscape and Maintenance and his family. Steven, an OEF volunteer, donated his expertise and 1,000 hours of his time to direct the landscape

beautification project at the CTI Campus. Visiting guest chef, Owen Bain of Cassava Grille, and CTI’s culinary instructor Mrs Tamika Rahming, served delicious grilled food and vegetables at the restaurant. Visitors had the opportunity to learn more about the mission and impact of the organizations as well as sign up to volunteer.

As non-profit organisations, OEF and partners depend heavily on the support of donors and volunteers. Shaun Ingraham, CEO of OEF, expressed the critical nature of community support, “OEF could not have had the impact it has had in Eleuthera, without the support of the community and without engaged donors and volunteers. We want people to know that their skills, talents and resources are essential components in creating the communities we want to live in, work in, and ultimately leave to our children.”

“The sharing of knowledge, tales of the past and plans for the future made for an enriching experience. It is through our partnerships and collaboration that we are empowered to pursue our mission of strengthening, connecting and planning.

As we maintain a focus on improving the social and economic conditions in Eleuthera, we encourage others to join us as we continue implementing strategies and working towards ideals expressed in A Shared Vision.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 13, 2019, PAGE 3

Ferreira insists low cost homes Airline refutes ‘bad deal’ claim ‘overpriced’ by nearly $60,000 FROM PAGE ONE

FROM PAGE ONE Homes Ltd was to improve the value of the land by constructing low cost housing.”

“After getting free land and infrastructure the homes were sold to the public on average for $160,807 per house. No matter that they got the land and infrastructure for free, that’s the water and light, they sold it to their fellow Bahamians for $160,807.00 on average. We

had the approved value of the land, that is the value of the homes on the land appraised. The result was that they were appraised on average at $103,650 per home. That means that on average the homes were overpriced by $57,157.00 or 35.5 percent. These were the types of sweet heart deals we met in place.

Why should Bahamians be forced to buy an overpriced home from a favoured few?.”

Mr Ferreira had

suggested previously that under the former Christie administration, Bahamians were in many cases being overcharged between $20,000 to $40,000. He had also noted that due to the inflated price of singlefamily homes, the Minnis administration decided to discontinue offering turnkey homes, but instead install the necessary infrastructure on undeveloped land to produce residential serviced lots.

Taxi union berates govt over licence plates job losses FROM PAGE ONE issue over a week ago. We were told to wait until after the budget debate as if that has something to do with people going back to work.

The taxi union is very upset about this. We’re not staying quiet about this. When we take to protest again we want the public to know why,’ said Mr Ferguson.

“I feel as though the government is clueless about what they have committed to. Basically they were blindsided because they didn’t realise the depth of the tangled mess the industry is in.

These people who are out of work are now the casualties of that proposal the prime minister threw out at our meeting in January.

The only thing that proposal

has done is cause tax drivers hardship.”

Back in January, scores of angry taxi drivers gathered in Rawson Square to protest what they consider poor treatment and working conditions as well as “unfair” competition from tour operators. Taxi drivers have called for an end to the two-decade old moratorium on new taxi plates.

AML centre pays tribute to 30-year director FROM PAGE ONE development is critical to the success of our business.”

Referencing AML’s chief human resource manager, Mr Watchorn added that AML aims to “ensure” their employees are fully equipped to meet the needs of the company.

“We want to provide an environment and a culture where continuous learning and development takes place to help employees in their roles, to increase their engagement, and enhance our employee retention.

“We need to develop a workforce that meets the future needs of our company, not necessarily what our company is today, but where we want to take our company in the future,” he furthered.

Renea Bastian, AML vice president of marketing & communications, said the ultimate goal of the learning and development centre is to train staff and equip them with the tools they need to be “productive in the work environment.”

“Investing in a new learning and development centre allows us to develop more employees to better serve the Bahamian public.”

With learning being a

FRANK CROTHERS key component of AML’s core values, the company is focused on continuously training, coaching and developing its 900 team members, she said.

Speaking about Mr Crothers, AML Chairman Franklyn Butler described the director as a “philanthropist, an exemplary role model and an investor in Bahamians”.

“Frank has exemplified integrity and values which I have personally admired which have created significant value to the company,” he said.

“Whether it was stepping up for a significant cash call that the bank had his

business in forbearance, or whether it was the hostile takeover bid by external parties, Frank stood up and always put the company and his employees ahead of himself, and I must add, often times his own pocket.”

Offering brief remarks, Mr Crothers said he felt “great” seeing what the organisation had accomplished.

“The team has built, I think, one of the best organisations including all of our services in this country, so I’m going to ask please remember AML when you’re out shopping.

“Let me say I am greatly honoured. I feel privileged to say to you all I am humbled but proud...and I do look forward, in my reclining years, to serving again because that’s what I like to do and it causes a win-win for everybody.”

The 3,400 square-foot facility is located adjacent to Solomon Supermarket’s Yamacraw location, and is equipped with a computer lab which will facilitate video conferencing between the New Providence and Grand Bahama training centres.

of $205,200 per year. The deal, he said, was executed just days before the 2017 general election and Mr D’Aguilar suggested the move was motivated by special interests.

However, Western Air yesterday insisted it was the government which had sought to utilise the company’s private headquarters after the Ministry of Works in 2015 condemned the mobile trailers the government was using due to mold and asbestos. Further, the company claimed the government utilised its fully furnished facilities for two years without payment.

“In 2015, The Bahamas Government’s mobile trailers at the San Andros Airport were condemned by the Ministry of Works and Ministry of Environment for mold and asbestos.

There were reports circulating of government employees being hospitalised as a result of the conditions of the trailers. Because of this, the government contacted Western Air and requested to move the Bahamas Customs, Immigration, Civil Aviation and RBPF offices into the Western Air San Andros Facility urgently,” the company said.

“Western Air did not seek the government as a tenant in its private headquarters. Due to the urgent need for the government offices to move out of the condemned trailers, Western Air agreed to assist and negotiated a lease for multiple office spaces that would be provided immediately, fully furnished and inclusive of electricity, water and sewage, janitorial services and insurance. A lease, processed by the Attorney General’s office was executed and the government moved its offices into the Western Air facility on March 2, 2015. There was no political basis or unscrupulous nature about this business transaction and any

A WESTERN Air facility in San Andros. insinuation of such is inaccurate and ill-intentioned.”

According to the company, it had not been provided an advancement or any form of payment for rent for two years after the government first occupied the Western Air San Andros Facility in March 2015.

“The first payment for outstanding rent was paid May 22, 2017 after the general election under the direction of Minister D’Augilar,” said Western Air. “More importantly, the rental lease expired on March 2, 2018, after which the government, including Minister D’Augilar specifically, requested to have the government offices remain in the Western Air facility.

The government requested to stay in the Western Air facility as they wanted to explore other options and thus opted to be billed month to month. Minister D’Augilar and Airport Authority chose for the offices to stay in the Western Air facility for over one year after the expiration of the lease and recently moved the government offices back into mobile trailers in June, 2019,” Western Air said.

The company noted the government was well within it’s rights to vacate the Western Air facility after the lease expired on March 2, 2018, however did not.

“Western Air sent a request to vacate by October 2018 due to no lease being renewed, however, this request was ignored.

Airport Authority provided notice that the government offices would be moved out

by March 2019, however they continued to occupy

the space for months thereafter, on a daily rate, without lease or alternative arrangement. The rental costs was clearly not the most critical issue, considering that no payment has been provided to Western Air for the rental spaces for over a year with a balance of $538,332.62 as the government occupied the multiple office spaces up to June 2nd 2019, as mentioned above. This has not been an issue as Western Air has an ongoing working relationship with the Airport Authority.”

The company claims it has provided government a proposal for the option of free rent, granted it be permitted to redevelop the San Andros Airport by constructing a new government terminal and resurfacing and lengthening the runway in exchange for the opportunity to manage the airport thereafter.

“Western Air was advised this option was not chosen by the Airport Authority. San Andros is Western Air’s Headquarters so its interest in the betterment of the San Andros Airport is very clear. The government’s decision to move the San Andros Airport back into mobile trailers is a few steps back from the goal of providing Andros with an international standard airport, which it deserves.

However, Western Air should not be used as a scapegoat or distraction for this decision, as our rental arrangement was a simple transaction voluntarily entered into and continued by the government. We look forward to more progress at the San Andros Airport,” the company said.

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PAGE 4, Thursday, June 13, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Japan premier warns US, Iran ‘accidental conflict’ possible

TEHRAN, IRAN Associated Press JAPANESE Prime Minister Shinzo Abe travelled to Tehran yesterday to warn that an “accidental conflict” could be sparked amid heightened tensions between Iran and the US, a message that came hours after Yemen’s Iranianbacked Houthi rebels attacked a Saudi airport, wounding 26 people.

Abe’s trip is the highest-level effort yet to de-escalate the crisis as Tehran appears poised to break the 2015 nuclear deal it struck with world powers, an accord that the Trump administration pulled out of last year. It’s also the first visit of a sitting Japanese premier in the 40 years since the Islamic Revolution.

But success may prove difficult for Abe, as the Houthi rebel attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abha regional airport

JAPANESE Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, right, shakes hands for the cameras with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, during the official arrival ceremony, at the Saadabad Palace in Tehran, Iran yesterday.

Photo: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP underscored. The attack is just the latest in a wave of rebel drone and missile attacks targeting the kingdom, which has been mired in a yearslong war in Yemen that has killed an estimated 60,000 people and pushed the Arab world’s poorest nation to the brink of famine.

Iran is threatening to resume enriching uranium closer to weapons-grade level on July 7 if European allies fail to offer it new terms. While President Donald Trump says he wants to talk to Tehran, the US has piled on sanctions that have seen Iran’s rial currency plummet along with its crucial oil exports.

The US also has sent an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to the region, along with hundreds more troops to back up the tens of thousands already deployed across the Middle East.

The US blames Iran for the Houthi assaults, as well as a mysterious attack on oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.

Abe called for “more patience” on all sides in the crisis, which he warned could spiral out of control.

“At the moment tension is rising. We should do anything we can to prevent an accidental conflict from happening and Iran should play its constructive role,” Abe said in an address to journalists after talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. “There is possibility of an accidental

conflict and a military conflict should be prevented at all costs.”

Rouhani for his part iterated a warning that Iran would offer a “crushing” response if attacked by the US. He also claimed that Japan wanted to again buy Iranian crude oil, something it had stopped under threat of US sanctions. Abe did not acknowledge expressing that in their talks.

“Whenever the economic war stops, we will see a very positive development in the region and the world,” Rouhani said.

Neither leader took questions from journalists.

Abe’s plane landed at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport on yesterday afternoon where he was greeted by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. He immediately met Rouhani at the Sadabad Palace in northern Tehran, where soldiers on horseback bearing the Iranian and Japanese flags accompanied his car.

Abe will see Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini today.

The Japanese premier was seen as an interlocutor for Trump. Abe had just invited the American president to Japan last month and is in the process of negotiating with him over economic issues as well.

Middle East peace is a must for Japan, which gets most of the oil fueling its economy from there.

Recent threats from Iran

to close off the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth through which a third of all oil traded by sea passes, have raised concerns.

The looming threats to regional security could be seen just hours earlier in the attack on Abha. The Houthis said they launched a cruise missile at the Saudi airport while the kingdom said 26 people were hurt.

At least one Yemeni and one Indian national were among those injured in the attack, which al-Turki said struck the airport’s arrivals hall between 2am and 3am. State television later showed pictures of damage to a roof and debris on the airport’s tarmac, though it made a point to also show live footage from the airport of passengers queuing up to catch flights.

Though there were no fatalities, it was the largest number of civilians to be wounded in Saudi Arabia as a result of an attack by the rebels since the start of the Saudi-led war in Yemen more than four years ago.

The Houthis have previously used ballistic missiles to target the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and the airport there. More recently, they have launched bomb-laden drones targeting a key oil pipeline and the southwest city of Khamis Mushait.

A Houthi spokesman, Mohammed Abdel-Salam, said yesterday’s attack was in response to Saudi Arabia’s “continued aggression and blockade on Yemen”.

Iran’s nuclear deal, reached in 2015 by China, Russia, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the US, saw Tehran agree to limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of crippling sanctions. Western powers feared Iran’s atomic program could allow it to build nuclear weapons, although Iran long has insisted its program was for peaceful purposes.

In withdrawing from the deal last year, Trump pointed to the accord not limiting Iran’s ballistic missile programme and not addressing what American officials describe as Tehran’s malign influence across the wider Middle East. Those who struck the deal at the time described it as a building block toward further negotiations with Iran, whose Islamic government has had a tense relationship with America since the 1979 takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran and subsequent hostage crisis.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 13, 2019, PAGE 5

SHOPS IN HONG KONG CLOSE DOORS TO ‘FIND BREATH OF FREEDOM’

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HONG KONG (AP) — By the entrance of his restaurant, Kelvin Chung hung a piece of paper announcing the restaurant’s intention to strike on Wednesday.

“Hoping to find a breath of freedom,” the sign

said, adding that the shop would offer free honey green tea at lunch time to boost the city’s morale.

His modest Japanesestyle grill joined other small businesses that closed their doors to show solidarity with thousands

of protesters who blocked government buildings in central Hong Kong, forcing the Legislative Council to postpone debate on highly contentious changes to the territory’s extradition’s laws.

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AMMENDMENTS TO THE APPROVED LIST OF CANDIDATES AMMENDED FRIDAY, MAY 3RD, 2019

BY ELECTIONS COMMISSION

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS: 1. Rosemary E. Burrows 2. Maralyn Genette Burrows 3. William Ingraham 4. Cyril Morris Jr. 5. Wayne Thompson 6. Kameisha Delique Wells 7. Judd T. Williams TRUSTEES: 1. Jacqueline Lorene Mckenzie 2. Bolinder Newbold – Munroe 3. Vernincha Louise Delcine Simmons 4. Lana Monique Williams-Smith 5. Haldane Alfred Stubbs AREA VICE PRESIDENTS: NORTHERN BAHAMAS: 1. Ann Marie Bullard 2. Eldecia Thompson GRAND BAHAMA: 1. Quintin Howard Laroda 2. George Austin Trevor Mills.

NEW PROVIDENCE: 1. Vernon Jemell Rodgers SOUTHERN BAHAMAS: 1. Ann Louise Strachan TREASURER: 1. Lorraine Knowles 2. John Musgrove ASSISTANT TREASURER: 1. Catherine Knowles-Stubbs 2. Katress Wells SECRETARY – GENERAL: 1. Helena Cartwright 2. Dion Damien Johnson 3. Tiffany M. Delancy-Laing ASSISTANT SECRETARY – GENERAL: 1. Juanita T. Gaitor 2. Cedricka Rolle PRESIDENT: 1. Joan Knowles-Turnquest 2. Belinda Wilson VICE PRESIDENT: 1. Tiffany Burrell-Roberts 2. Jason Haley From the desk of John Musgrove Secretary-General The Bahamas Union of Teachers

PAGE 8, Thursday, June 13, 2019

France pledges to reform economy, boost competitiveness PARIS Associated Press FRANCE’S prime minister said yesterday that the government of President Emmanuel Macron plans to keep reforming the economy to boost its competitiveness, with changes to unemployment benefits and the pension system and plans to help out

middle-class workers with tax cuts.

Addressing the lower house of parliament, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe laid out the government’s upcoming priorities after two years in office.

Responding to often violent yellow vest protests against Macron’s policies that started in November, Philippe acknowledged it was “a mistake” that the

THE TRIBUNE government sometimes took decisions too quickly and without enough public consultation.

“We want to change our manner of governing. We are and will remain reformers. But we must further involve the French in the decision-making,” he said.

Critics say Macron’s economic policies tend to favour the wealthy and big businesses and are out of touch with everyday life.

In what he called the “Act II” of Macron’s term — which runs until 2022 — Philippe listed a series of economic reforms which he said aimed to make France’s economy more competitive.

Philippe said tax cuts will focus on middle-class workers, including 18 million

FRANCE’s Prime Minister Edouard Philippe delivers a speech at the National Assembly, in Paris, yesterday. France’s prime minister vowed to keep reforming the country’s economy through changes to the unemployment benefits, the pension system and tax cuts for middle-class workers. Edouard Philippe laid down yesterday the government’s upcoming priorities at the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly.

Photo: Thibault Camus/AP

French households who will see their annual incomes increase by about 180 to 350 euros next year on average.

“With the President of the Republic, we received loud and clear the message of exasperation against taxes that the French people sent us. They no longer want words but acts,” he said.

A reform of France’s generous unemployment benefits system will be presented next week — notably reducing benefits that wealthier workers are entitled to. France’s unemployment rate has decreased, falling to 8.4 percent at the beginning of the year, its lowest in ten years, Philippe said.

Moves to reform the pension system will keep the legal retirement age at 62 — but benefits for those who do so will decrease, to encourage people to work longer. Details are expected to be unveiled in July.

Another bill later this year will grant single women and lesbian couples access to medically assisted reproduction, a campaign promise from Macron. The procedures are currently restricted to heterosexual couples.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 13, 2019, PAGE 9

EU ASKS ITALY TO BETTER EXPLAIN DEBT OR FACE LEGAL ACTION BRUSSELS Associated Press EUROPE’S economy commissioner yesterday urged the Italian government to quickly provide any new information it might have to explain its high debt levels or face the prospect of imminent legal action.

Pierre Moscovici told reporters that “we stand ready to take into account any new elements that Italy may put forward, but let’s not waste time.”

“The ball is in Italy’s court,” he said.

The European Commission, which supervises budget plans in the 28 member states, says that Italy’s public debt stood at 132.2% of GDP in 2018, far above the EU’s 60% limit.

Debt is forecast to rise to 135% this year.

Moscovici said the commission is “committed to an intelligent and flexible application of our fiscal rules”, but he added that “no one should be in doubt that we will apply those rules if the criteria are not fulfilled”.

The commission believes an “excessive deficit procedure” should be launched against Italy, and the EU’s financial economics committee agrees that action is warranted. EU member states must agree for it to happen, and Moscovici expects eurozone countries to back the commission’s findings at a finance ministers’ meeting today.

minister sounded a somewhat optimistic note. Conte suggested the country would be able to “reduce the debt in a manner that perhaps not even we expected” due to having “more than we had prudently estimated”.

He didn’t go into details.

Conte said he would write to EU institutions to convey that Italy wants to respect the stability and growth pact. On the other hand, he said he also would make plain “it’s the moment to face and update the EU rules”.

EUROPEAN Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs Pierre Moscovici pauses before speaking during a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels yesterday. The European Commission yesterday took stock of the progress made to deepen Europe’s Economic and Monetary Union and calls on Member States to take further concrete steps.

Photo: Virginia Mayo/AP Italy could face billions of euros in fines, although that is unlikely.

The threat of action comes at a time of rising tensions between Brussels and the Italian government, in particular Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini, who has been emboldened by his right-wing League party’s strong gains in the May EU elections.

Italy’s debt load is the second-highest in Europe, after Greece. Many fear new financial turmoil in Europe should Italy lose control of spending, but the government in Rome says it must spend more to jumpstart growth after years of austerity.

“Italy’s debt ratio is one of the highest in the world,” Moscovici said, and noted that debt servicing alone was

equivalent to about 1,000 euros a year for every Italian citizen.

“The high debt is a major vulnerability for the economy and it’s in Italy’s interest to tackle this,” he said.

In Rome, Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte led a huddle early yesterday over the looming possibility of EU disciplinary action. He conferred with his two populist deputy premiers, Salvini and Luigi Di Maio, joined by Economy Minister Giovanni Tria, who has been trying to satisfy the EU and defend his government’s agenda.

Salvini emerged combative as usual toward Brussels.

Speaking on a video on his Facebook feed, he said the commission was “delegitimised by the vote of millions of Europeans”, and that Brussels “can’t take

decisions or impose choices or sanctions on governments and peoples”.

He said the government wants to dialogue with Europe “as equals and with equal dignity”. Salvini denied the government would take unpopular debtfighting measures like taxing Italians’ savings. Instead he pushed for broader tax amnesties, which he prefers to call “fiscal peace” initiatives aimed at raking in revenues.

The Italian prime

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, LEONARDO TYRELL CHARLES JR of 7W Femy House Lane Seahorse Village, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas intends to change her name to LEONARDO TYRELL COAKLEY JR. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-792, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice.

PAGE 10, Thursday, June 13, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Cove Eleuthera is seeking a qualified

The Cove Eleuthera is seeking a qualified

Director of Engineering

Executive Chef

to join our Engineering Team. The successful candidate should have the following minimum requirements:

to join our Food and Beverage Culinary Team. The successful candidate should have the following minimum requirements:

Bachelor’s degree from four-year College or university; or equivalent related work related experience and/or training. Formal training in the following: refrigeration, plumbing, air conditioning, reverse osmosis facilities, building and construction. Prefer 5+ years’ prior supervisory skills and work experience as Assistant or Director of Engineering and mechanical trades with hotel/resort, hospitals or large buildings.

Culinary degree or equivalent related work related experience and/or training. Prefer 5+ years’ prior supervisory skills and hotel/resort culinary/food and beverage management experience. Must have strong organizational skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to perform and prioritize multiple tasks with ease. Computer skills required. Strong guest and team member relations skills.

Must have strong organizational skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to perform and prioritize multiple tasks with ease.

Computer skills required. Strong guest and team member relations skills.

Must maintain current food handler’s certification

Must maintain current CPR and First Aid certification. Safety sensitive position.

All interested applicants can forward their Resume and Cover Letter to HumanResources@thecoveeleuthera.com

All interested applicants can forward their Resume and Cover Letter to HumanResources@thecoveeleuthera.com

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, JUDY JEAN PIERRE aka JUDY ST-HILAIRE of Wiseman Avenue, Pinewood Garden New Providence, Bahamas intends to change her name to JUDY JEANPIERRE. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-792, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, NATALIE CRYSTALL COAKLEY and LEONARDO TYRELL COAKLEY, of 7W Ferry Horse Lane Seahorse

Village, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas, parents of D’NARDO TYRIC CHARLES, a minor, intends to change his name to D’NARDO TYRIC COAKLEY. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O.Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas, no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that LUTAIRE GUSTAVE of Fox Hill Road, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 13th day of June, 2019 to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com

(242) 323-2330

TUESDAY, 11 JUNE 2019

(242) 323-2320

ALL SHARE INDEX: CLOSE: 2,152.05 | CHG: 0.02 | %CHG: 0.00 | YTD: 42.60 | YTD%: 2.02 BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 4.50 20.91 7.00 5.50 2.60 2.00 3.10 11.05 6.17 4.64 12.50 2.74 1.96 9.51 7.00 15.60 7.75 3.75 14.00

52WK LOW 3.50 19.17 4.90 3.85 1.00 0.19 2.00 8.89 6.13 3.54 10.00 2.35 1.60 7.50 6.10 11.00 6.20 3.01 12.51

PREFERENCE SHARES 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1.00 103.00 100.00 100.00 105.00 103.00 100.00 10.00 1.01

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.00

SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Bank of Bahamas Benchmark Cable Bahamas CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Colina Holdings Commonwealth Bank Commonwealth Brewery Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard Fidelity Bank Finco Focol J. S. Johnson Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A Commonwealth Bank Class Commonwealth Bank Class Commonwealth Bank Class Commonwealth Bank Class Commonwealth Bank Class Commonwealth Bank Class Fidelity Bank Class A Focol Class B

SYMBOL AML APD BPF BWL BOB BBL CAB CIB CHL CBL CBB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FIN FCL JSJ

E J K L M N

CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00

52WK LOW 100.00

115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA CBLE CBLJ CBLK CBLL CBLM CBLN FBBA FCLB

SECURITY Fidelity Bank Note 22 (Series B) +

SYMBOL FBB22

Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2015-1-3Y BGS: 2014-12-5Y BGS: 2015-1-5Y BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-3Y BGS: 2015-6-5Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-3Y BGS: 2015-10-5Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y

BAH29 BG0203 BG0105 BG0205 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0303 BG0305 BG0307 BG0330 BG0403 BG0405 BG0407

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing)

LAST CLOSE 4.18 17.43 6.00 5.40 2.58 1.95 2.21 11.05 6.16 4.45 10.00 2.70 1.85 9.77 7.00 14.45 7.50 3.16 14.00

CLOSE 4.18 17.43 6.00 5.40 2.58 1.95 2.21 11.05 6.16 4.45 10.00 2.74 1.85 9.76 7.00 14.45 7.50 3.16 14.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.04 0.00 -0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CLOSE 100.00

CHANGE 0.00

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

LAST SALE 100.00 107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

VOLUME

500 13,032

VOLUME

EPS$ 0.167 0.932 1.760 0.323 0.098 0.000 -0.438 0.708 0.480 0.184 0.627 0.102 0.209 0.000 0.611 0.743 0.939 0.205 0.631

DIV$ 0.130 1.260 0.000 0.250 0.000 0.020 0.000 0.720 0.220 0.120 0.620 0.068 0.060 0.328 0.240 0.500 0.200 0.090 0.600

P/E 25.0 18.7 N/M 16.7 N/M N/M -5.0 15.6 12.8 24.2 15.9 26.9 8.9 N/M 11.5 19.4 8.0 15.4 22.2

YIELD 3.11% 7.23% 0.00% 4.63% 0.00% 1.03% 0.00% 6.52% 3.57% 2.70% 6.20% 2.48% 3.24% 3.36% 3.43% 3.46% 2.67% 2.85% 4.29%

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

INTEREST Prime + 1.75%

MATURITY 19-Oct-2022

6.95% 4.00% 4.25% 4.25% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.00% 4.25% 4.50% 6.25% 3.50% 3.88% 4.25%

20-Nov-2029 30-Jul-2018 16-Dec-2019 30-Jul-2020 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2018 26-Jun-2020 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2018 15-Oct-2020 15-Oct-2022

YTD%12 MTH% 1.22% 3.96% 0.74% 3.42% 0.97% 2.67% 2.06% 4.97% 4.52% 0.96% 1.57% 4.58% 0.99% 4.25% 1.32% 4.12% 3.22% 5.64% -1.08% 1.77% -5.96% -3.05% 1.90% 4.59% 7.24% 11.96% 2.77% 3.88% 3.94% 4.69% -0.71% 0.16% 7.40% 2.70% 10.20% 1.30%

NAV Date 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 26-Apr-2019 31-Mar-2019 31-Mar-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Apr-2019 30-Mar-2019 30-Mar-2019 30-Mar-2019

MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.23 4.27 2.05 188.32 158.55 1.62 1.76 1.70 1.15 6.99 8.54 6.15 10.52 11.46 10.46 10.00 8.69 11.79

52WK LOW 1.67 3.04 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.56 1.68 1.64 1.08 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20

FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund FG Financial Preferred Income Fund FG Financial Growth Fund FG Financial Diversified Fund FG Financial Global USD Bond Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - High Yield Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F

NAV 2.23 4.27 2.05 188.32 154.49 1.62 1.76 1.70 1.15 7.66 8.94 6.71 11.25 11.94 10.59 9.92 8.68 11.38

MARKET TERMS BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Change - Change in closing price from day to day Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths NAV - Net Asset Value N/M - Not Meaningful

TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | FG CAPITAL MARKETS 242-396-4000 | COLONIAL 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 13, 2019, PAGE 11

Businesses showing discontent with Trump’s trade policies WASHINGTON Associated Press PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s aggressive and wildly unpredictable use of tariffs is spooking American business groups, which have long formed a potent force in his Republican Party.

Corporate America was blindsided last week when Trump threatened to impose crippling taxes on Mexican imports in a push to stop the flow of Central American migrants into the United States.

The two sides reached a truce Friday after Mexico agreed to do more to stop the migrants. But by Monday, Trump was again threatening the tariffs if Mexico didn’t abide by an unspecified commitment, to “be revealed in the not too distant future”.

Such whipsawing is now a hallmark of Trump’s trade policy. The president repeatedly threatens tariffs, sometimes imposes them, sometimes suspends them, sometimes threatens them again. Or drops them.

Business groups, already uncomfortable with Trump’s attempts to stem immigration, are struggling to figure out where to stand in the fast-shifting political climate. They have happily supported his corporate tax cuts and his moves to loosen environmental and other regulations. But many are concerned about the president’s mercurial approach to tariffs.

The Business Roundtable, an association of CEOs, opposes the use of tariffs and has made the case to the administration about the risks they pose to economic growth. But Trump has remained a fervent advocate of the import taxes anyway.

“They are going to do what they do — it’s not up to us,” Jamie Dimon, chairman of the Business Roundtable and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, said at a gathering of reporters yesterday.

“Business is losing,” said Rick Tyler, a Republican strategist and frequent Trump critic. “He calls himself ‘Mr. Tariff man.’ He’s proud of it... It’s bad news for the party. It’s bad news for the free market.”

Just last week, the sprawling network led by the billionaire industrialist Charles Koch announced the creation of several political action committees focused on policy — including one devoted to free trade — to back Republicans or Democrats who break with Trump’s trade policies. A powerful force in Republican politics, the network is already a year into a “multi-year multimillion dollar” campaign to promote the dangers of tariff and protectionist trade policies.

The Chamber of Commerce, too, is in the early phases of disentangling itself from the Republican

he’s threatening to impose Section 232 tariffs on auto imports, a chilling threat to American allies Japan and the European Union.

Congress is considering bipartisan legislation to weaken the president’s authority to declare national-security tariffs. In doing so, lawmakers would be reasserting Congress’ authority over trade policy, established by the Constitution but ceded over the years to the White House.

The legislation has stalled in Congress this spring.

But on Tuesday, Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said the bill would be ready “pretty

DONALD TRUMP Party after decades of loyalty. The chamber, which spent at least $29m largely to help Republicans in the 2016 election, announced earlier this year that it would devote more time and attention to Democrats on Capitol Hill while raising the possibility of supporting Democrats in 2020.

Few expect the Chamber or business-backed groups like the Koch network to suddenly embrace Democrats in a significant way.

But even a subtle shift to withhold support from vulnerable Republican candidates could make a difference in 2020.

Trump’s boundless enthusiasm for tariffs has upended decades of Republican trade policy that favored free trade. It has left the party’s traditional allies in the business world struggling to maintain political relevance in the Trump era.

Trump’s tariffs are taxes paid by American importers and are typically passed along to their customers.

They can provoke retaliatory tariffs on US exports.

And they can paralyse businesses, uncertain about where they should buy supplies or situate factories.

“Knowing the rules helps us plan for the future,” said Jeff Schwager, president of Sartori, a cheese company that has had to contend with retaliatory tariffs in Mexico in an earlier dispute.

Trump seems unfazed.

Myron Brilliant, head of international affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce, went on CNBC on Monday to decry “the weaponisation of tariffs” as a threat to the US economy and to relations with trading partners.

Trump responded by phoning in to the network to declare “I guess he’s not

so brilliant” and defend his trade policies.

“Tariffs,” he said, “are a beautiful thing.”

Trump can afford to be confident about his grip over the party: Roughly nine in ten rank-and-file Republicans support his performance as president, according to the latest Gallup polling. So Republicans in Congress have been reluctant to tangle with him.

But last week’s flareup over the Mexico tariffs may prove to be a pivotal juncture. The spat was especially alarming to businesses because it came seemingly out of nowhere.

Less than two weeks earlier, Trump had lifted tariffs on Mexican and Canadian steel and aluminum — action that seemed to signal warmer commercial ties between the United States and its neighbours.

“This really came out of left field,” said Daniel Ujczo, a trade lawyer at Dickinson Wright. “It was something we thought we had settled, and we hadn’t.”

Congress was already showing signs of wariness, especially over Trump’s decision to dust off a littleused provision of trade law to slap tariffs on trading partners. Section 232 of the Trade Expansion of 1962 lets the president impose sanctions on imports that he deems a threat to national security.

Trump has deployed that provision to tax imported steel and aluminum. And

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soon.” Given “how the president feels about tariffs,” Grassley said, “he may not look favorably on this. So I want a very strong vote in my committee and then, in turn, a very strong vote on the floor of the Senate.”

Congressional reluctance to challenge Trump could be tested in coming months.

Lawmakers may balk if he proceeds with plans to tax $300bn worth of Chinese goods that he hasn’t already targeted with tariffs — a move that would jack up what consumers pay for everything from bicycles to burglar.

Likewise, taxing auto imports — an idea that has virtually no support outside the White House — would

likely meet furious resistance. So would any move to abandon a trade pact with Mexico and Canada. Trump has threatened to withdraw from the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement if Congress won’t ratify a revamped version he negotiated last year.

For all their disenchantment with Trump, the Chamber of Commerce may yet find it hard to break its ties to the party. Though the chamber says it’s weighing a more bipartisan approach, it recently featured a sign on its front steps: It likened Trump to Republican icons Ronald Reagan and Dwight Eisenhower.