Leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have formally requested an urgent meeting with United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump to address growing concerns about potential shifts in U.S. trade policies and regional security issues. The call was made by CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, at the conclusion of the 48th CARICOM summit in Barbados.
Mottley confirmed that Caribbean leaders are in contact with U.S. government representatives, including President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio Blinken, to arrange the meeting. We are engaging with the relevant people in the U.S. government to schedule an urgent meeting with the President, Mottley stated during a press briefing on February 21.
Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Phillip Brave Davis, also expressed concern, noting that the business community in the region has voiced numerous complaints regarding possible changes in U.S. trade policies, particularly regarding increased tariffs.
This is a major issue for our business community. The posture of CARICOM is that we must be prepared for any eventuality,” Davis explained. He highlighted that CARICOM has initiated a comprehensive review of its trade situation with the U.S., and expects to present a policy document on how to navigate potential changes in U.S. trade strategies by the end of the next three months.
The request for a high-level meeting comes in the wake of the ongoing diplomatic engagement between CARICOM and the U.S. regarding trade and investment. In August 2024, CARICOM trade ministers met with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Ambassador Katherine Tai, in Georgetown to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and expanding trade opportunities.
However, CARICOM officials are now concerned about the direction U.S. policy might take under President Trump’s “America First” agenda, which has seen a retraction from global trade agreements and a focus on domestic economic interests.
Trade issues are compounded by the U.S. government’s approach to the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), a long-standing framework for trade and investment in the region, as well as its stance on the Value Added Tax regimes in the Caribbean. The U.S. position has been critiqued for potentially impacting the region’s economic stability.
Additionally, the geopolitical climate in the Caribbean has shifted, with China increasing its influence through investments in energy and infrastructure, particularly in ports. As a result, CARICOM leaders have stressed the importance of continued high-level engagement from the U.S. to counter China’s expanding presence and ensure regional security and development.
A letter delivered to President Trump also emphasised the role CARICOM plays in addressing the ongoing crisis in Haiti. The Caribbean bloc has been instrumental in facilitating a Haitian-led process for political stability, and U.S. support for the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti remains a key area of collaboration.
The letter urged the U.S. to maintain a robust diplomatic presence in the region, echoing the prior administration’s commitment to regional cooperation. “This is a critical moment for U.S.-CARICOM relations,” the letter concluded. “We need continued high-level engagement to strengthen our partnership and tackle challenges related to security, economic resilience, and democratic governance in the region.”
The urgency of the matter underscores the Caribbean’s need for continued support in navigating an evolving global landscape.
