Former banker and management consultant Everett Christian is urging Caribbean nations to establish direct trade routes that bypass the United States in response to new tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
Speaking on Observer AM, Christian proposed a regional free trade zone in Jamaica, allowing CARICOM members to import goods directly from manufacturers, avoiding US ports and their rising tariffs. Antigua and Barbuda and 12 other CARICOM nations now face at least a 10% tariff on exports to the US, while Guyana faces a 38% tariff on oil exports.
Christian suggested consolidating regional orders for shipment to Jamaica, where goods could then be transshipped to other islands tariff-free. He described the situation as a challenge but also an opportunity for deeper regional cooperation and economic integration.
He called on CARICOM leaders to present a united front, suggesting that the tariffs could ultimately push the region toward greater self-reliance and collaboration.
