The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has issued a blistering statement regarding the recent imposition of a 38% tariff on most Guyanese goods by the Trump administration, accusing the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government of negligence and failure to prepare for such a move.
Last Tuesday, April 2, 2025 United States (U.S) President Donald Trump impose tariffs on 180 countries, including places that not inhabited by people. Trump said the tariff is aimed to empower the local business and the American people and allow him to make trade deals, a thinking rebuked by erstwhile economics.
The PNCR’s statement criticised the government’s lack of proactive diplomacy with the U.S., pointing out that despite Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo’s claims that the government anticipated the tariff, there is no evidence to suggest any significant planning or engagement with the U.S to address the issue.
The PNCR lamented the government’s lack of action during the recent visit of U.S Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, saying the PPP seemed more focused on receiving a dossier on activist, Melissa ‘Melly Mel’ Atwell-Holder, than raising critical trade concerns.
The party accused the PPP of neglecting to engage local producers, exporters, and industry stakeholders on the issue, claiming that the government has failed to take responsibility for the potential economic fallout. According to the PNCR, these failures are indicative of “gross incompetence and dereliction of duty” by the government.
With the imposition of the tariff threatening to severely impact Guyana’s agriculture and manufacturing sectors, the PNC urged the government to act quickly. The party outlined a series of recommendations for a holistic response plan, urging the government to move beyond merely reconciling trade statistics with the US.
While reconciling past trade data may help in the short term, it does nothing to protect Guyana’s future trade interests, the statement read. With increasing oil revenues, the start of LNG exports, and the expansion of mining and manufacturing operations, future trade flows could lead to even higher tariffs. The government must engage with the U.S to develop a strategy that safeguards Guyana’s long-term interests.
The PNCR also expressed concern over the global repercussions of the tariff, highlighting the possibility of retaliatory tariffs from European and other countries, as well as an escalating trade war and a potential global recession. The party emphasised that the government must be prepared to navigate these disruptions through proactive monitoring, scenario planning, and risk mitigation strategies.
In light of the ongoing challenges, the PNC urged the government to implement immediate measures to cushion the economic impact on Guyanese industries. These measures, the PNC stated, should focus on lowering the cost of production, improving product quality, and making Guyanese goods more competitive in international markets.
“In all these regards, the government must employ specialists to advise it, instead of relying on the proven incompetence of its Vice-President,” the statement concluded.
The PNC made it clear that the PPP’s inability to act decisively on these critical issues, coupled with its tendency toward short-term, reactionary measures, leaves Guyana vulnerable to further economic challenges. The party stressed that only effective leadership and capable management will help Guyana navigate the uncertain global economic landscape ahead.
