PM Browne: No Need to “Rebalance” Between U.S. and China

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has firmly rejected suggestions that Caribbean nations, including Antigua and Barbuda, should “rebalance” their relationships between the United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Speaking at a ceremony marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, Browne emphasized that Antigua and Barbuda has already achieved the right balance in its international partnerships.

“There are some who argue erroneously that countries in the Caribbean that support China need to rebalance. But I ask, what is there to rebalance?”

He described the United States as “the most important country” to the Caribbean in terms of tourism and trade, while also lauding China for its consistent support through grants, concessional loans, and infrastructure development.

“The United States is our largest source market for visitors and goods, and it plays an indispensable role in our development,” Browne said. “At the same time, China has been a benevolent partner, helping us with critical projects in housing, education, and ports. There is no conflict here — both relationships serve our national interests.”

Browne underscored that Antigua and Barbuda will not allow any outside power to dictate its foreign policy. He said his administration defends the principle of sovereignty, insisting that even the smallest states must have the right to act in their own best interests.

“The United States is playing its role in our development, and we welcome that. And we don’t expect China to tell us that we need to rebalance our relationship with the United States. And similarly, we don’t expect the United States to dictate to us as a small sovereign country. And that is why I said earlier that we defend the principle of sovereignty” he said.

Adding, “when we allied recently with the United States on the Alfa Nero matter, we did so because we believed it was in our national interest,” Browne explained.

“China did not interfere, nor has it ever interfered, in our relations with the United States. That’s what mutual respect looks like.”

The Prime Minister noted that despite the vast differences in size and population, China has consistently treated Antigua and Barbuda as an equal partner. He recounted discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping as evidence of the mutual respect underpinning their relationship.

“China, a country of 1.4 billion people, sits with us, a nation of 100,000, at the same table. That respect is not only meaningful — it is a model of how global relations should work,” Browne said.