Trump administration will give CNMI greater voice

10:57 am on 14 November 2016

The Northern Marianas' governor says the territory is expected to have a greater voice in the administration of United States President-elect, Donald Trump.

Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania, one of the rust belt states where the polls consistently put Hillary Clinton ahead.

Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania, one of the rust belt states where the polls consistently put Hillary Clinton ahead. Photo: AFP

The Republican candidate beat Democrat rival Hillary Clinton to become the 45th US president last week.

Ralph Torres, a Republican, said Mr Trump has promised to create an Asian Pacific American Advisory Committee which will give US territories like the Northern Marianas, Guam, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands a direct link to the White House.

He hopes contentious issues for the territory like foreign workers, the creation of live-fire bases for the military, and visa exemptions for Russian and Chinese visitors will be addressed by the committee.

As an un-incorporated territory, the Northern Marianas only has one non-voting delegate to the US House of Representatives, and is not allowed to vote for the presidency.

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