Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda values its relationship with the United States but will not allow that relationship to undermine the country’s right to pursue its own development.
Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show on Pointe FM on Saturday, Browne said the United States remains Antigua and Barbuda’s most important trading partner, noting that “about 80 per cent of our trade is with the United States,” but stressed that the relationship must be grounded in mutual respect.
“We’re not going to jeopardise that relationship,” Browne said. “But at the same time, we should be able to pursue our own development without being threatened, or being ostracised, or for that matter, to be bullied or anything of that nature.”
The prime minister made the remarks while discussing Antigua and Barbuda’s growing role in global diplomacy, including preparations to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting later this year. He said the country’s ability to attract major international conferences demonstrates that it is no longer a marginal player on the world stage.
“We’re no longer an insignificant state,” Browne said, adding that Antigua and Barbuda is now “literally engaging in global advocacy on a number of issues.”
Browne said the government remains committed to constructive engagement with Washington and other international partners, but insisted that development decisions must be guided by national priorities rather than external pressure.
“The United States is our most important trading partner,” he said, “but we also have to ensure that we protect our sovereignty and our right to develop.”
He said Antigua and Barbuda’s economic performance and rising per-capita income have strengthened its international standing and bargaining power, allowing the country to engage partners from a position of greater confidence.
Browne said his administration will continue to balance diplomacy with independence as it works to advance economic growth and protect national interests.
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Maduro Trump issue has ended up with VISA pause for Antigua and now it’s a local political battle of point the finger at the PM it’s CIP, it’s China. The opportunist opposition is using the issue as a weapon and government fights back with explanations…Ahhh good old politics….
That’s right well said, let that orange guy knows what time it is when it comes to Antigua. Antigua and its development is for the people’s interest and growth. How can you not want foreigners , in your country and still want to tell a next man what to do. Well said Mr.Browne, Antigua Development is for it’s people.
I actually agree with Prime Minister Honourable Gaston Browne. However, I think that PM Browne should be more guarded with his utterances and his responses to these issues as it would only antagonize, anger and offend the US and make life more difficult for us. The last thing he want to do is to give the US the appearance and impression that he is a ruffian, a rascal or a wretch. He should take a leaf out of PM Holness and Mia Mottley’s playbook on the Venezuela’s issue. You might not agree, but you keep quiet for your country’s sake. Sometimes silence is the best answer.
I applaud you as a strong PM, but this US administration only knows one way when dealing with other countries and that’s bullying. We now have a congress and a house that’s useless and powerless, since the same format of pressure, intimidation, threats and fear of being ostracized, is being implemented.
Diplomacy is now being used all across the world, along with great gifts etc being presented by world leaders just to be on the good and safe side, which to this administration means absolutely nothing.
This is a one way street, and the ONE in this context is the US. Look at the UK! They tried everything, even a Buckingham Palace hook up, now they too are being hit with more tariffs, because of Greenland, but Greenland was on the agenda since the inception of this administration, so watched them take it , while all these EU countries and NATO stand on the side unable to do anything.
By the way did you guys notice the Epstein files was released with a bang and in no time just vanishes completely, because of all the uproar and madness being carried out around the world by this administration?
The PM well knows what he said on Pointe FM will not be heard by Trump and that Trump doesn’t have ANR on Whatsapp, as they say talk is cheap. Why doesn’t he send that directly to Trump if he is the real WURL. BOSS
No one wants you to be bullied you idiot, but they want you to be strategic.
Playing all sides is not a winning strategy, so continue to play games to the continuous detriment of the Antiguan people.
I don’t care how much you run your mouth on point FM, but you must definitively pick a side in order for Antigua to survive or come back to what is once was.
This man is rich, so this is just selfish talk,and look where it has gotten us.
The US don’t even want to see Antigua right now, so that’s why this fool is now talking like he’s strong.
You got your seat at the table GB, and you wasted it..now Maduro is gone, and the Russians and Chinese are quiet as a lamb.
Tell me one thing that the Chinese has uttered during this entire Trump removal of Maduro, just one?
The Chinese know that their political views doesn’t work well in the Caribbean, but they will use fools like GB to get a foothold in the US backyard. Why you think this big arse embassy is in Antigua, you think it’s there for looks?
GB himself doesn’t even know what the hell goes on there.
Bloody idiot just talking..you already sellout Antigua GB, so your talk is a bit late.
Maybe not to the US, but the Chinese and others certainly have their say in Antigua.
So who is pressuring who?
No man can serve two masters, so we already know you have one, and you pick the wrong one, and now at the expense of Antiguan’s.
How many Antiguan’s are in China, and hoe many are in the US?
Do the math, and you will see how naive your choices are.
The lesser of both evils you idiot.
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