POSSIBLE DISRUPTIONS IN U.S.-CARICOM TRADE. It is sensible that CARICOM has begun to assess the likely impact of Donald Trump’s trade policies on the region. But CARICOM’s evaluation of Mr Trump’s agenda, and its implications for the Caribbean, cannot just be about trade, or the fallout of funding to regional institutions because of the US president’s move to close the spigot on America’s foreign aid. It has to include, too, a deep analysis of US foreign policy more broadly, the uncertainty that it is creating in the global environment, and what small states like those in the Caribbean can do to insulate themselves from the worst of its effects. With respect to trade, Mr Trump’s action, should he follow through, could upend the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI)In 2022, CARICOM, including its associate members, exported US$1.93-billion worth of goods to the United States under the various CBI schemes. “I believe that the posture of CARICOM is that we must be prepared,” Prime Minister Holness said in Bridgetown. “We can’t approach this with any panic  (The Gleaner) 

REVOKING OF CHEVRON’S DEAL WITH VENEZUELA. President Trump has cut off the Biden-era financial lifeline to Venezuela by revoking Chevron’s oil export deal. Now, questions loom over the Dragon gas project between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela—could it be next? Trump, via his Truth Social account, said the Chevron license was revoked because Nicolás Maduro did not meet the democratic conditions for last July’s presidential election. While the Biden administration had already imposed sanctions for Maduro’s missteps, canceling the Chevron deal dealt an even harsher blow. Adding to Trump’s frustration, Maduro has reportedly been slow to facilitate the return of Venezuelan migrants. (OILNow) 

REVIEWING TRADE WITH THE U.S. CARICOM has launched a comprehensive review of the region’s trade relations with the United States as Caribbean leaders brace for potential challenges stemming from shifting US trade policies. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness described the situation as a “grave concern”, stressing the need for the region to be prepared. The review, expected to be completed within three to four months, will assess the possible effects of US trade policy changes and provide a policy framework to guide regional governments. “Many businesses have reached out. The private sector is indeed concerned,” Mr Holness said. “I believe that the posture of CARICOM is that we must be prepared.” (The Tribune) 

MARCO RUBIO TO VISIT THE CARIBBEAN. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, plans to visit the wider Caribbean region next month, said Mauricio Claver-Carone. Plans are still being finalized. But the tour of the mostly English-speaking Caribbean region could include stops in Jamaica, Guyana and Barbados or Suriname. A number of concerns will be discussed amid the United States’ foreign policy shifts, which have included freezes to foreign aid, the gutting of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the pulling out of global commitments on climate change and financing. The changes, which include a ramped-up deportation policy and a rollback of legal immigration protections for Haitians, have CARICOM leaders scrambling to figure out how to react. “The CARICOM-USA relationship is an important one,” Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley told the Miami Herald in response to the planned visit. “We reached out to the new administration to meet at an early stage to see how best we as a community can work together. There is the issue of Haiti and its stability, which is paramount. There are also a number of other matters of mutual interest; it is best to see where we may work together as members of the same neighborhood.” (Miami Herald) 

Alex David Rosaria (53) is a freelance consultant active in Asia & Pacific. He is a former Member of Parliament, Minister of Economic Affairs, State Secretary of Finance and UN Implementation Officer in Africa and Central America. He’s from Curaçao and has a MBA from the University of Iowa. (USA).