Baltic diplomats: Trump era makes Washington decision-making a 'black box'
Baltic diplomats say that during Donald Trump's second term, gaining traction in Washington has become even harder, comparing the process to a black box. However, the U.S. Congress still holds significant sway on Baltic issues.
Diplomats from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, interviewed by Delfi journalists, note that access to Washington's decision-making has always been difficult, but it has become especially challenging during Donald Trump's second term. An Estonian diplomat who served in Washington stated that some decisions are made regardless of how friendly the Baltic states are.
Examples cited include ammunition supplies to allies, including the Baltic countries, and the presence of U.S. troops in Europe and the region. In these matters, the influence of the Baltic states is limited.
However, the diplomats emphasize that the U.S. Congress still plays a significant role in Baltic affairs. Unlike the executive branch, Congress provides a platform where smaller countries can be heard. This gives hope that Baltic interests can still be defended, despite the opacity of the White House decision-making process.
