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Caribbean leaders and industry officials are breathing a sigh of relief following the Trump-era decision to spare the region from steep U.S. port fees on Chinese-built shipping vessels — a move that could have severely disrupted regional trade.
Antigua Port Manager Darwin Telemacque, who played a leading role in the lobbying efforts, described the outcome as a “success story” for Caribbean diplomacy and collaboration.
“We’ve worked very hard on trying to present the Caribbean’s position as it relates to the impact that this would have created for us,” said Telemacque. “Had this thing gone through, this would have been cataclysmic.”
The original proposal by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) threatened to impose fees of up to $1.5 million per port call on Chinese-built ships — a decision that raised alarm across the global shipping industry. For Caribbean nations, whose economies rely heavily on maritime trade, the proposed levies posed a major economic threat.
Telemacque noted that a regional coalition — including CARICOM leaders, the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA), major regional businesses like Massy, and energy firms in Trinidad — rallied to voice their concerns. The advocacy was spearheaded by economist Patrick Antoine of the Caribbean Private Sector Organisation, with Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne also engaged in the effort.
“Dr Antoine actually went to Capitol Hill to present our case,” Telemacque explained. “And I think we were successful. Of the things that we asked, we received most of them.”
The USTR has since revised its plan, granting exemptions to ships operating between domestic U.S. ports, the Caribbean, and U.S. territories — effectively shielding major regional carriers from the impact of the fees.
Telemacque, who also chairs the Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC), credited the outcome to the strength of regional unity.
“This was a broad-based effort. We had Jerron and Jeffrey Hall from Jamaica, a lot of people from different sectors got involved. We’re grateful that we’ve been successful in reducing the impact on our Caribbean civilization.”
The exemption marks a rare but welcome reprieve amid ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions and highlights the power of coordinated Caribbean advocacy on the global stage.
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I’ve heard many times and have read the posts of many on here who have said ” oh let’s move away from the US and Britain” but yet we run straight into Chinese dominance and control..how stupid can we be?
Like the old saying goes..” you bite off your hand to spight your face”.
America has shown it’s cards in this entire trade war, that you’ll little islands would be stupid to think that you don’t need them.
Chinese dominance is not a good thing people..one nation getting super powerful to their own benefit, not ours.
Y’all better think before y’all act or talk.
I always say this on here. ” The lesser of two evils”. That’s the one you should always choose.
Big win for the region!
Proud moment for Antigua and CARICOM
Nice move!!
Let’s not get too comfy. These exemptions could change again depending on US politics.
As long as it helping the man in the street and not just big business, me good with it.