**Georgian Dream Awaits Favorable Response from Trump Administration**
The Georgian Dream government is waiting with bated breath for a more favorable response from the United States, as it faces unprecedented international isolation. The situation was discussed in detail during a recent hearing at the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.
At the May 21 hearing, Rep. Joe Wilson accused Georgian Dream of rigging the October 26 elections and “criminalizing association with America.” He also claimed that the government had blocked trade and mineral access to the Middle Corridor and sold Georgia to the Chinese Communist Party. Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded by saying that the U.S. would review its relations with Georgia, taking into account whether it was in the country’s national interest to have an “anti-American government” governing an important part of the world.
**Georgian Dream Reacts to Accusations**
Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili quickly reacted to the accusations, stating that Rep. Wilson’s question was based on a “disinformation narrative.” She argued that the only conclusion one can draw from Secretary Rubio’s response is that America still has no definitive position on Georgia.
Botchorishvili also emphasized that Georgian Dream had enjoyed very good systemic cooperation with the United States and dismissed the prospect of being labeled an “anti-American government.” Instead, she claimed that the ruling party was pro-Western and willing to have equal relations with partner countries and organizations.
**MEGOBARI Act: A Cause for Concern**
The foreign minister also commented on the MEGOBARI Act, which proposes broader sanctions on Georgian Dream officials and their family members. She expressed hope that the U.S. State Department would dismiss the act when reviewing its policy toward Georgia.
“The statements in this act are not true, and it would be very regrettable if those disinformative narratives formed the basis of the State Department’s policy toward Georgia,” Botchorishvili said.
**Party Line**
Other Georgian Dream representatives echoed Botchorishvili’s sentiments. Archil Gorduladze, the chair of the legal issues committee in the one-party parliament, rejected the labeling of Georgian Dream as an “anti-American government” and described it as pro-Western. Levan Machavariani, a Georgian Dream MP, called for more clarity from the Trump administration and reiterated the ruling party’s claim of shared values with the Trump administration.
**Uncertainty Remains**
The uncertainty surrounding U.S.-Georgia relations has been ongoing since November, when the United States suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia. Georgian Dream is awaiting a favorable response from the Trump administration as it seeks to reset relations between the two countries.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze frames the ongoing uncertainty as a battle between Donald Trump and the “deep state,” suggesting that if Trump triumphs, relations will be reset for the better. If not, and the “deep state” prevails, Kobakhidze says the ruling party will still defend Georgia’s national interests.
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