Browne Warns of Shipping Tariff Threat to Caribbean Stability
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has warned that proposed U.S. tariffs on Chinese-operated shipping lines could have devastating effects on Caribbean economies, potentially pushing regional inflation as high as 14%.
Speaking during his Pointe FM radio show, Browne explained that the policy—currently under discussion in Washington—would impose a fee of approximately $1. 5 million on all container ships operated by Chinese lines. “We’ve been advised that a container could increase by about $3,000 to $4,000 USD each,” he said. “That could drive prices up by 8 to 10 percent easily, at a time when inflation is already elevated.”
The Prime Minister described the situation as “extremely inflationary,” warning it could threaten regional economic stability. “It will literally destabilize Caribbean economies,” he said, citing analyses that suggest inflation could trend up to 12 to 14 percent if the measure is implemented.
Browne noted that the issue is being addressed at the regional level, with the CARICOM Chair, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, expected to write to U.S. President requesting a carve-out for the Caribbean under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI).
“One of the objectives of the CBI is to ensure economic and social stability within the region,” Browne said. “The United States should be concerned about its third border and any unintended consequences of policies it implements.”
He indicated that alternative strategies are also being considered at the Cabinet level, including the possibility of increased trade with South American nations such as Brazil.
However, Browne cautioned that discussions on alternatives remain premature. “We’re trying to resolve this issue so we can maintain the status quo,” he said. “The easiest thing is for us to get a carve-out.”
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The US will do anything to frustrated China..China will still be more prosperous than the US. Long live China
They will blame Gaston for that too
Donald Trump don’t have any sympathy or empathy for the Caribbean.
Marco Rubio his Secretary of State considers The Caribbean complicit in proping up the Cuban Government.
The Caribbean has made numerous choices for it’s conomic model of development that brings China into the so called US third border.
A major lawsuit being brought by Boise Shiller has described our Prime Minister as currupt and involved in money laundering.
The President of the United States is know for saying and doing outrageous things.
He does think much of the Caribbean and will not hesitate to squeeze the Region out of spite.
Trump will not pull a Cuban like embargo, but he can cause irreplaceable harm to the Caribbean economies.
The attitude being taken by the PM now, is the same risky and somewhat reckless attitude that brought us to where we are today.
The suggestion that we may have to turn to package food products and consumables coming out of LATAM that have not gone through FDA approval is scary.
Watch out for the babies bring born with one eye and three legs, and 25 year olds with cancer.
@anotherday. Gaston Browne has been preaching since Covid that we must begin to grow more, develop food security and change our life styles. But we are too comfortable, look to America, a shite-hole country for salvation. Think and research before you speak. The FDA ia controlled by the Pharmaceutical Industry. Why do you think Americans cross the border to Canada to buy medications made in India. In any case does the FDA control Canada, Europe, Asia or Africa? Antigua and the Caribbean, though stupid to have placed all their eggs in one basket, must now find alternative markets and shipping lines. America is finished and will not catch itself in 40 years and 40 nights if things were to change right now.
Trump today stated that the US will be going after any country that is doing oil business with Venezuela. They plan to add 25% tariffs. Add this to our China problems and Antugua could be looking at increased prices ahead.
Tariff! Tariff! Tariff! And you Gaston did bad for agriculture,
1. You destroyed dunbars research lab to sell the lands to am sure Caucasian or light skin people and politicians.
2. You authorized moody Stuart grand son to be head of marijuana industry as how he grand father was over sugar cane.
3.you tell everybody to plant marijuana and now pending scarcity of food coming no vegetable is been grown only dope to smoke, when you should a tie the same equivalent of food growth as in vegetables to marijuana 50/50.
Them international war you think you could a meddle and make monies outer is a millstone around Antigua tax payers kneck.