Prime Minister Gaston Browne has called for diplomacy and restraint in the face of rising tensions between the United States and China, warning that small states like Antigua and Barbuda often suffer most when global rivalries intensify.
Speaking at a ceremony marking the 76th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Browne said the world’s two largest powers should resolve differences through dialogue rather than confrontation. He reiterated his government’s long-standing foreign policy of “friendship with all, enemies with none,” stressing that the Caribbean must not become collateral damage in geopolitical disputes.
“When the elephants fight, the grass gets trampled,” he told the audience. “We cannot afford to be caught in the middle of great power rivalries. Our hemisphere must remain one of peace and cooperation.”
The Prime Minister highlighted the knock-on effects of international conflict, citing the war in Ukraine as an example of how global crises can trigger inflation and hardship in small economies. He cautioned that worsening US–China relations could spark similar challenges, from food price hikes to energy shocks.
“Whether it is higher food prices, energy shocks, or instability in trade, small vulnerable states always bear the heaviest burden,” Mr Browne said. “That is why we advocate dialogue, diplomacy, and peaceful coexistence.”
He urged Washington and Beijing to prioritise negotiation over rivalry. “Peace, prosperity, and respect for sovereignty are the principles that should guide us all,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Mr Browne reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to global cooperation: “We are a small nation, but our voice is clear, the world needs less confrontation and more collaboration.”
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
