Christie Says Obama Ineffective Negotiator on Cuba, Iran

Christie Says Obama Ineffective Negotiator on Cuba, Iran
By HEATHER HADDON

CAMBRIDGE, England—New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie criticized President
Barack Obama for failing to be an effective negotiator in trade
negotiations and in liberalizing relations with Cuba.

"You need someone in the White House who is going to be a good and
effective negotiator," said Mr. Christie, a potential 2016 Republican
presidential candidate, after touring a biotech research company here
Monday.

"The president has not proven himself to be the most adept negotiator in
my opinion on behalf of American interests," he said.

Mr. Christie made his comments on the second of three day trade mission
to the U.K., where he is meeting with business leaders and British
officials. The Republican is set to spend the afternoon with Prime
Minister David Cameron later on Monday and dine with members of his cabinet.

Traditionally, U.S. officials refrain from criticizing members of their
own government while traveling abroad. When Mr. Christie was asked about
his criticisms of Mr. Obama while in the U.K., he said his faulting of
the administration on a lack of leadership was nothing new.

"The fact is I don't think he's a very effective negotiator and that's
nothing new," Mr. Christie said.

The Republican governor made his comments in response to a question
about the Obama administration's effectiveness in pushing through a deal
to increase trade and lower tariffs between the U.S. and the U.K., known
as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP.
Negotiations have continued on the potential trade pact for years.

Mr. Christie also criticized the Obama administration on its
negotiations with Iran on nuclear arms, and its recent talks that have
expanded travel to Cuba. The governor said that Mr. Obama hadn't gotten
enough in return for the U.S. for liberalizing relations with Cuba, and
the Castro government has gotten the upper hand.

"If you see the reaction from Raul Castro, it doesn't seem like he's
saying 'Thank you, how can I make Cuba freer," Mr. Christie said.

Source: Christie Says Obama Ineffective Negotiator on Cuba, Iran -
Washington Wire - WSJ -
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/02/02/christie-says-obama-ineffective-negotiator-on-cuba-iran/?mod=WSJ_Politics_Blog