There’s an imminent trade war on the horizon with the US, Mexico, Canada, and China which means an increase in specific goods even for us here in Antigua and Barbuda.

And while Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez is convinced the main industry will remain resilient and not be greatly affected by these tariffs, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS) Sir Ronald Sanders is not entirely convinced.

He explained it all depends on the timeline and the effect it has on the larger countries before smaller countries feel that sting.

“Well, it depends on how this escalates. Already, the signs are Mexico, Canada, and China are going to respond, in like manner to President Trump’s tariffs and duties on their goods. Nobody wins from a trade war. That would include the country that started, and the US will find that its economy will begin to shrink if this trade war is protracted.

This trade war for the US will increase the cost of living and cause the market for small businesses to collapse over time. This all depends on the longevity of this war.

On Saturday, Trump announced that he would slap broad 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, both U.S. allies and 10% tariffs on China, a political foe.

A 30-day delay with Mexico and Canada was agreed upon Monday after both countries agreed to beef up security at their borders. However, the 10% tariff threat on China remains, and GOP lawmakers remain largely quiet on the politically tricky issue.

According to NBC News, most congressional Republicans have not commented publicly on whether they support Trump’s push for tariffs on historic political and economic allies, with a few exceptions. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, was the first to chime in Monday morning when he took to X to “plead” with Trump to consider tariffs’ impacts on his agriculture-heavy state.

Earlier today, Beijing announced tariffs of 10% to 15% on U.S. coal, liquefied natural gas, crude oil, pickup trucks, and other products shortly after the U.S. tariff took effect.

Starting Feb. 10, China will impose an additional tariff of 15% on coal and liquefied natural gas and a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, large-displacement automobiles and pickup trucks, the government said.