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Prime Minister Gaston Browne has expressed deep concern over President Donald Trump’s recent decision to impose tariffs on a range of goods entering the United States, particularly those from China.

This significant policy shift, announced yesterday by The White House, has the potential to create serious repercussions for the Caribbean region and beyond.

According to reports, Trump has signed a series of executive orders that impose a 10% tariff on imports from China, along with a more substantial 25% tariff on goods coming from Mexico and Canada. However, it’s worth noting that Canadian energy imports are somewhat shielded from the broader tariff impact, facing a reduced rate of 10%.

In light of these developments, Prime Minister Browne has called for a meeting among CARICOM member states to thoroughly discuss and assess the implications of these tariffs.

He emphasized that this situation underscores an urgent need for the region to prioritize self-sufficiency in its economic strategies, reducing reliance on external markets to safeguard local industries and consumers from the volatility of international trade policies.