DoS Memo Warns: Trump's Immigration Order May Jeopardize Iraq-GE Deals

US President Donald Trump’s recent immigration order suspending entry for citizens of Iraq among seven Muslim-majority countries may jeopardize upcoming deals between Baghdad and General Electric (GE), according to a US State Department memo.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On January 27, Trump signed an executive order that suspends entry to the United States for citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days, bans all refugees from entry for 120 days and bars all Syrian refugees from entering the United States indefinitely.

In the US Department of State memo obtained by Politico, US diplomats said, citing a senior Iraqi government official, that Baghdad was preparing to sign two deals with GE which would expand bilateral cooperation in health, transportation and aviation sectors.

However, the memo continued saying that the reliability of the company as a partner was now in question, noting that Trump’s executive order would negatively impact future cooperation and deals.

The memo added that the Iraqi government might seek other partners if the United States continued with its unwelcoming approach to the bilateral relations.

General Electric has been active in Iraq for 40 years and employs 250 people there. In January, it signed new contracts with the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity worth $1.4 billion.