The Caribbean is bracing for a potential trade storm as Prime Minister Mia Mottley warned that a proposed US levy on Chinese-made ships could severely disrupt regional commerce, inflate import costs, and destabilise supply chains.
Mottley confirmed that she has sought an exemption for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) from the levy, highlighting its far-reaching consequences for both the region and the US whose southern state Florida is a major shipping hub serving the Caribbean.
Speaking at the opening of Courts’ new superstore at Welches on Thursday evening, Mottley said she raised the issue directly with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during her recent visit to Jamaica and had also written to US President Donald Trump in her role as CARICOM chair, seeking an exemption for the region.
“What we potentially face with the announced cess—levy, whatever you want to call it—on ships made in China will have serious and deleterious consequences for the commerce not just of Barbados, not just of the Caribbean, but also for Florida,” she said.
Barbados and other Caribbean nations depend on regular imports, often operating on a seven-day supply cycle for food, equipment, and critical goods, the PM said.
She warned that the proposed tariff could raise the cost of a 20-foot container by US$1 500 ($3 000) to US$2 000 ($4 000) and up to US$4 000 ($8 000) for a 40-foot container.
“That cost would eventually be passed on to businesses and consumers. It could also force many to seek alternate shipping routes with higher logistical challenges,” the PM added.
She stressed the interdependence between Florida’s economy and the Caribbean, noting that disruptions in trade would not only hurt small island states but also impact logistics providers and port operations in the southeastern United States.
Her meeting with Rubio formed part of a wider regional dialogue during the Secretary of State’s Caribbean visit, which, according to the US State Department, focused on regional cooperation, trade, and Haiti’s stability.
But Mottley said the proposed tariff represents an immediate threat that highlights the importance of strengthening economic resilience.
She referred to her administration’s recent move to establish a National Resilience and Regeneration Fund, financed by a portion of public sector salaries, to help the country absorb future shocks.
“Barbados must seek to build a buffer that is strong enough that we can accommodate not just high-gale force winds, but disruptions that are beyond our contemplation,” she said.
She further added that innovative debt clauses and resilience funding were no longer optional, but necessary tools as the world continues to face complex and unpredictable challenges.
An earlier statement from Tammy Bruce, the spokesperson for the US Secretary of State, provided little detail about the talks but said the United States is committed to supporting Barbados and its CARICOM partners in countering transnational criminal organisations.
It noted that Rubio and Mottley also discussed the US-Barbados partnership under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, which focuses on tackling illicit narcotics and firearms trafficking, dismantling organised crime networks, and strengthening regional security coordination.
Additionally, Prime Minister Mottley emphasised the importance of economic cooperation, advocating for stronger energy partnerships to boost regional development.
Regarding Haiti, Secretary Rubio praised Mottley’s leadership in efforts to stabilise the crisis-ridden nation. He expressed interest in working closely with Barbados on initiatives to support Haiti’s security and governance.