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Everette Christian (Photo by NewsCo)
Everett Christian, a former banker and management consultant, is calling on Caribbean nations to set up direct trade routes that would circumvent the United States in reaction to President Donald Trump’s newly implemented tariffs.
During an appearance on Observer AM, Christian suggested establishing a regional free trade zone in Jamaica, which would allow CARICOM nations to import goods directly from manufacturers, helping to protect consumers from rising prices and avoiding US ports and their associated tariffs.
As a result of Trump’s recent tariff policy, Antigua and Barbuda, along with 12 other CARICOM member states, are now facing a minimum 10 percent tariff on exports to the US, while Guyana is burdened with a steeper 38 percent tariff on its oil exports.
Christian elaborated that by consolidating orders from various CARICOM countries and shipping them to Jamaica, regional importers could “bypass US ports and the tariffs on both the ships and the goods,” allowing for easier transshipment to other islands.
He emphasized that while the current situation poses challenges, it also offers an opportunity for enhanced regional collaboration. “Even though there are negative impacts, as we’ve already seen, there are also potential benefits that could arise from it,” he noted.
Christian urged CARICOM governments to present a united front in addressing the challenges posed by the tariffs, suggesting that the policies of the Trump administration could ultimately promote stronger regional economic integration in the long run.
We need our own cargo fleet
Exactly. We are too reliant on the First World countries to do that. We will need a lot of discretionary measures to help us get started because everyone is feeling the pinch atm.
Yeah Carribean people can’t work together to do nothing. Black people in general hate to see other black people prosper and Carribean people just to bad minded for this to never work.
I’ve always believed this is the way forward not only for Antigua but for all caribbean nations. Self reliance is key affording us the ability to not be at the mercy of the USA or anybody else. Free trade among ourselves can and must be done.
Apparently we learned nothing from COVID. This should have been the way of thinking since 2020 but not all our leaders see the vision
And never will remember what happened when the federation was established? And what you think going happen when everything start come through Jamaica especially us small islands..
depending on our own is much better than depending on outside fully cause if anyhing goes wrong the country suffer