Navigating Challenges in Regional Trade: Impact of Proposed U.S. Trade Actions on Caribbean Economies - Analysis by Dr. Kai-Ann D Skeete

As a region, we must provide an alternative to North American consolidation and utilise the Kingston Wharves Limited (KWL), which operates nine deep water berths, 360 000 square feet of warehouse space, and one of two public terminals within the Port of Kingston 24 hours per day for 365 days per year. KWL has specialised in moving bulk, liquid bulk, breakbulk and containerised cargo since 1945. It has consistently upgraded its infrastructure with six mobile harbour cranes inclusive of two state-of-the-art Liebherr Cranes and it houses a Total Logistics Facility (TLF). KWL’s transhipment terminal provides connections to over 45 regional and global destinations. Furthermore, due to Jamaica’s proximity to the Panama Canal, the KWL can connect millions of consumers in the Americas and act as a link to all CARICOM full and associate states.

As a geopolitical strategist, I firmly believe in Winston Churchill’s saying, “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” We now need to look inwards and create our solutions and alternatives to this potential crisis. As a small island state, we are unable to easily pivot to alternative food sources unless we identify those produced within the CARICOM Single Market. For decades, our leaders have spoken about import substitution, production integration, identifying baskets of foods and creating regional policies to reduce our food insecurities.

In a previous article in 2021, I made the following recommendation: “If it has not yet been realised, within a community you need to have a permanent network of transportation options to connect countries and deliver vital supplies. Perhaps the establishment of an intra-regional airline not driven by profit or laden with taxes may be the answer to increasing intra-regional movement and intra-regional trade, especially agricultural trade.”

The Caribbean’s natural geography indicates that air transportation must be a critical component of any regional infrastructure. The Caribbean is dependent on air transportation to provide connectivity which is fundamental to sustaining economic growth in the region highly dependent on tourism. There are already several private entities that ply the air-transport service delivery trade across the Caribbean on a daily basis. These aircraft transport perishable and non-perishable goods; animal cargo; equipment and machinery on a daily basis.

Perhaps these service providers need to be engaged by regional governments about providing a much-needed cargo space for selected items. It is hoped that the region discovers viable solutions in short order to prevent an unnecessary regional crisis from occurring.

Dr Kai-Ann Skeete is committed to solving regional problems as the Trade Research Fellow of the Shridath Ramphal Centre.