In reaction to the change in U.S. policy brought about by the incoming administration of President Donald Trump, Caribbean countries are being urged to collaborate in enhancing regional resilience.
This appeal comes from academics, diplomats, and leaders from the Caribbean who convened online on Tuesday, February 18, for a Vice-Chancellor’s Forum organized by The University of the West Indies (UWI) to talk about Trump’s significant policy change and how the Caribbean is reacting to it.
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Professor Justin Robinson, the pro-vice-chancellor, emphasized the Caribbean’s historical adaptability in dealing with changes in the world.
Robinson stated, “We’ve had to dance with colonial rulers, tango with economic downturns, and now we must learn a new two-step with policies that may affect everything from trade to security.”
Robinson asked participants to participate in a proactive discourse focused on strengthening resilience and ensuring the greatest outcomes for Caribbean states.
Columbia University economist Professor Jeffrey Sachs, meanwhile, characterized Trump’s strategy and the recent shifts in US foreign policy as a type of “neo-imperialism” that has its roots in a goal of US supremacy in the Western Hemisphere.
He remarked, “We are in a very unstable period.” He warned that the Caribbean faces difficulties as a result of this volatility, which is fueled by Trump’s protectionist trade policies and anti-immigrant views. Sachs said that CELAC should improve regional diplomacy and underlined the necessity of Caribbean states’ solidarity through Caricom. To overcome these issues, he emphasized that Mexico, under Claudia Sheinbaum, might play a significant role in promoting cooperation with the Caribbean.
The important change in US trade policy was emphasized by Ambassador Wayne McCook, a Jamaican diplomat and assistant secretary-general of Caricom, who emphasized the use of tariffs for national security and economic reasons to rectify perceived imbalances in international commerce.
He emphasized that since the US is their main commercial partner, Caribbean countries must carefully consider the effects of these developments.
Considering the region’s trade deficit with the US, he called attention to the possible dangers of US bilateral trade policies, especially the unusual use of reciprocal tariffs, which could upset the current trade framework. He also urged Caribbean nations to evaluate their exposure to these policies.
Finally, Ambassador McCook emphasized the value of a multilateral economic system based on norms, which is advantageous to Caribbean countries.
McCook revealed that “The Caricom trading goods regime has undergone many iterations, but the urgency to deepen and strengthen our internal market has never been more pressing.” Adding, “We need to navigate the challenges ahead with renewed resolve to reduce non-tariff barriers and ensure our firms can expand their markets effectively.”
Concerns over Trump’s “America First” approach, which has resulted in a retraction of US involvement in multilateral organizations such as the UN and WHO, were addressed by Professor W. Andy Knight, an expert in international relations at the University of Alberta.
He maintained that the new regulations represent a breakdown of the post-World War II international order, which is manifested in a greater degree of chaos and unpredictability.
This interregnum phase allows Caribbean states an opportunity to rethink their presence in the global arena by diversifying their diplomatic tactics and supply lines.
Professor Knight pointed out that Mia Mottley, the prime minister of Barbados, is a prime example of this optimism, working to stop Trump’s bullying and change laws that would make Caribbean nations more powerful. In the end, he thinks that Trump’s moves would encourage Caribbean nations to investigate other markets and lessen their dependency on the US.
Knight stated, “Trump’s policies, while potentially causing short-term instability, also create openings for Caribbean nations to assert themselves on the global stage and build a more equitable regional order.”
