The new normal

The more recent of the very audacious moves, being the refugee based restrictions being imposed by the United States. This, coupled with a burgeoning relationship with Russia, the straining of a relationship with Mexico – which is a traditional United States ally - amongst other swift and daring moves send a very strong signal to the rest of the Globe.

Based on the immediate response emanating from the media, the diplomatic operatives seem left in the lurch, having to play ‘catch up’ in order to craft diplomatic responses and approaches to what was already decreed.

Such a paradigm questions the role and functionality of diplomatic positions within today’s tweet inspired circumstances. Why is this relevant? Simply because the decisions and directives made by the various global superpowers, including the strengthening or weakening of their relationships will impact on the rest of the world, including on the way we do business, whilst impacting the bottom line for many local, regional and internationally operating business organisations.

These circumstances call for diplomatic plasticity to be infused in the way we choose to do business in a very fast changing global structure. The channels that formerly presented as stable and dependable are now presenting as fluid and uncharacteristic. Such environments call for a measure of international relations that are very distant from the norm. Essentially, this poses a very new and dynamic challenge to corporate structures already operating within international confines, as well as those choosing to operate within these confines to become as knowledgeable as is possible with the ever-changing face of global and diplomatic realities and to make the requisite adjustments. One such adjustment would be to remain current, perhaps even ensuring your presence on the information superhighway in a very direct manner – after all, this seems to be where global diplomacy takes place, for all the world to see.

In addition to investing in a social media presence with real time reporting, it would be of good measure to invest in cross cultural understanding, to appreciate the international community, what was traditionally expected, and what the new normal might become. This is extremely important as it lends to the corporate culture being empowered to understand and appreciate the impact international and diplomatic relationships have on the various trade markets. These are inextricably related, and cognizance must be placed on keeping abreast.

As I pen this article, I am trusting that our very own Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs would have been proactive in updating its various Missions and High Commissions on the changing global dynamic, and finding ways to ensure nationals of Trinidad and Tobago can access information on such adjustments, be it via updates to the ministry’s website, or by being able to simply visit various overseas missions to be guided accordingly. I would expect a similar system be developed within our Foreign Affairs Ministry designed to facilitate the provision of guidance and support to nationals, businesses and other relevant persons in adjusting to this new paradigm of fast-paced, tweet diplomacy and its subsequent impacts.

All together, we are experiencing an extremely interesting global dynamic from which we in Trinidad and Tobago are certainly not isolated, and as such, we must ensure we understand and appreciate the various economic, social and multi-pronged impact such geo-politics can and will have on this nation.