Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) Calls for Urgent Public Consultations on Shipping Cost Increases

The Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) is urging the Gaston Browne-led administration to immediately engage in public consultations on the drastic increase in U.S.-imposed shipping costs and its potential impact on the Antiguan and Barbudan economy.

The proposed fees, which could reach as high as US$1.5 million per port call for Chinese-built vessels, are set to have a devastating impact on the nation’s economy and the wider Caribbean region. It is estimated that this new policy could cause inflation to surge by up to 25%, leading to an unbearable economic burden for citizens and businesses alike.

While the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) claims this measure is designed to challenge China’s dominance of the maritime sector and stimulate the U.S. ship-building industry, the unintended consequences for Antigua and Barbuda are severe. The shipping lines that service the region, including Tropical Shipping, will face additional costs they cannot absorb.

As a result, these costs will inevitably be passed on to importers, who will, in turn, pass them on to consumers – many of whom are already struggling to make ends meet.

“The people of Antigua and Barbuda, and the wider Caribbean, simply cannot afford this additional financial strain,” said ABWU General Secretary Senator David Massiah.

“Many families are already grappling with the basic necessity of providing enough food to feed their families, with some households managing only two meals a day. Pensioners and single mothers are particularly vulnerable, facing dire choices between putting food on the table and paying essential bills. The potential increase in prices due to these shipping-cost hikes could push already struggling communities into deeper poverty, with serious implications for health, education, and overall quality of life,” Massiah lamented.

This is not the time for silence or self-absorption by the Cabinet. This is the time for the people to be made aware of the seriousness of our situation and to be prepared for the worst-case scenarios.

● New strategies are needed to negotiate the new terms on which the United States is dealing with the world at large.

● New collaborations are needed to explore the impact of these measures on the employment and quality of life of our people.

● New social programmes may very well be needed to cushion that impact to prevent the collapse of the working class and the further decline of the poor.

The Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union calls on the Browne Administration to urgently engage with the public and all stakeholders, including trade unions, businesses, and civil society groups, to address these critical concerns and explore ways to mitigate the negative impact on Antigua and Barbuda’s economy.