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Tariff Turmoil: Greene Says CARICOM Must Negotiate New Trade Path with U.S.
ABLP Chairman and Foreign Affairs Minister EP Chet Greene is calling on CARICOM to urgently engage the United States in renegotiating trade arrangements, warning that existing frameworks have been rendered ineffective by a wave of unilateral U.S. tariff policies.
Speaking on Pointe FM over the weekend, Greene said that recent moves by the U.S. government to impose a 10% tariff on imports from nearly all countries—including small Caribbean nations—have upended longstanding trade expectations and created deep uncertainty across the region.
“Anything that was in existence prior to President Trump signing these new orders is now of nullity,” Greene said. “CARICOM will now have to sit with the U.S. government to carve out some sort of consideration for Caribbean goods.”
Although a 90-day suspension of the tariffs was later announced, Greene warned against complacency, arguing that the region cannot afford to wait and hope for stability from what he described as an erratic and unpredictable trade regime.
“Let us treat this most recent announcement as we did the one prior to the suspension,” he said. “We must act as though these tariffs are in place and move now to protect our economies.”
Greene explained that while Antigua and Barbuda does not export significant volumes to the United States, the implications of the broader tariff structure are far more serious—particularly in the areas of tourism, consumer goods, and industrial inputs.
“The real concern is tourism—our bread and butter,” he said. “If the U.S. economy softens because of these trade wars, American consumers will have less disposable income to travel. And when that happens, we feel the blow directly.”
Greene also highlighted the potential impact on fledgling industries in Antigua and Barbuda, noting that entrepreneurs relying on imported materials could be priced out of business if costs rise.
“Tariffs on Chinese goods, for example, drive up the cost of raw materials for local businesses. That’s not just theory—it’s reality,” he said.
He urged CARICOM member states to adopt a unified stance in discussions with the United States, emphasizing that regional solidarity is essential to achieving exemptions or special considerations.
“We need to be clear-eyed about the fact that these decisions are not about us, but they affect us—sometimes disproportionately,” Greene said. “Only through coordinated diplomacy can we hope to protect our interests.”
Greene’s comments come as international trade institutions struggle to respond to a surge in protectionist measures and shifting alliances. He noted that even multilateral frameworks such as the WTO are under pressure, leaving smaller nations increasingly vulnerable.
“This is a time for strategic diplomacy,” he said. “But it’s also a time to build resilience. We must explore new trade lanes, strengthen intra-regional commerce, and ensure that we’re not solely dependent on one market.”
While acknowledging the difficulties ahead, Greene expressed confidence that Caribbean cooperation could provide a path forward.
“We’ve done it before. We can do it again. But we must act quickly and with purpose,” he said.
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Every time them big countries sneeze, we ketch cold.
Greene talking sense, but will the U.S. really take us seriously?
We need more trade within the Caribbean, less reliance on the U.S.
Tariff pressure or not, I think we should’ve been building regional resilience long time.
Why we still acting like we dependent colonies? Come on …. Time to level up.
Hopefully now, even the so-called Christians among us could see and feel the reality of the great struggle between good and evil of which we prate , especially on a fine Saturday or Sunday morning. Well there you have it. The great temptation of the 21st century! Bow down to and worship Satan and his allies, sacrificing what few principles, ethics and morality which still exist, if we want to survive.
The timing of all this cannot be lost even among non- Christians . It should remind us of Christ’s testing in the desert when Satan offered Him the whole world, life eternal, POWER and glory IF ONLY He would bow down to Satan and worship him.
Today’s Lesson: If we in these parts, therefore want to have life, to continue to be able to eat, drink, fete and be merry, we must seriously consider bowing down to Satan (Donald Trump) and just accept his offer without resistance. Satan rules
Satan wins
Why don’t you save your breath to cool your coffee, piece of you know what. You will never replace the Top Dog
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is a SOVEREIGN COUNTRY and have a DEMOCRATIC right to IMPLEMENT ECONOMIC POLICIES AND LAWS as they see FIT to PROTECT THEIR CITIZENS.The U.S GOVERNMENT HAS NOTHING TO NEGOTIATE with CARICOM, TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT.CARICOM NEED TO GO TO COMMUNIST CUBA AND VENEZUELA OF WHICH THEY FULLY SUPPORT THE REGIMES IN OPPRESSING AND EXPLOITING ITS CITIZENS, AND ADVOCATE FOR 1.FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS 2.RESTORE FREEDOM OF SPEECH 3.RESTORE HUMAN RIGHTS 4.THE RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS. ANTIGUA GO TO CUBA AND VENEZUELA AND MARKET YOUR TOURISM.CARICOM CONSIST OF A BUNCH OF CLOSET COMMUNIST LEADERS THAT RELISH OPPRESSING AND EXPLOITING ITS CITIZENS TO MAINTAIN POLITICAL POWER, BUT THEY LOVE THE YANKEE DALLA.THEY NEED TO MARCH TO LIBERATE THE PEOPLE OF CUBA AND VENEZUELA.
😂. The fools are at it again.
The other day they were clowning the US and pumping their chest in support for Venezuela, and now here they are begging for negotiations with the very same US.
While I called for deplomacy, and few were on here saying they stand with Max Hurst in his pompous rhetoric on his news feed.
The problem is not the US people, the problem is your inept government that doesn’t have a clue about deplomacy.
This is not about no devil this and devil that, this is about simple deplomacy and how to navigate the murky waters of trade and relationships.
You blast the US, but pound your chest about your stance with a dictator in Venezuela who is right now trying to push Guyana out of their newly found wealth.
Make it make sense you fools.
Gatson Browne and his band of merry men have no clue about deplomacy, they bully their way into office and think they are God gift to Antiguan’s with their fancy houses on the hill and big bank accounts, but running a country and looking out for the normal people of their country, has never been their strong suit.
This governments way of Governing is all bluster, and that’s why they stand with dictators, because that’s all they know, bully people into submission.
Why you think they keep everything from the voting public in all their dealings, why?
Because your voice doesn’t matter, not one bit to them..that’s how dictators run their country. It’s not some coincidence that Gatson is the loud mouth he is.
Wake up people. Without deplomacy and the peoples input in their own country, that country will fail at its core.
There is a reason the Chinese people always think they are victims and always keep to themselves, because they have been victims all their lives.
Wake up people and liberate your minds from these fools who want to shout at you all day.
Wells Saïd islan man.
NOTE:ON JANUARY 10 2025 PAST U.S BIDEN ADMINISTRATION RAISED THE BOUNTY FOR NICOLAS MADURO TO 25 MILLION U.S DOLLARS.
NOTE:ON JANUARY 10 2025 PAST U.S BIDEN ADMINISTRATION RAISED BOUNTY FOR NICOLAS MADURO TO 25 MILLION U.S DOLLARS.
NOTE:ON JANUARY 10 2025 PAST U.S BIDEN ADMINISTRATION RAISED BOUNTY FOR NICOLAS MADURO TO 25 MILLION DOLLARS.