Belize Pushes Back on U.S. Tariffs, With CARICOM Support

Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Development, Dr. Osmond Martinez, is weighing in on the ongoing tariff talks with the U.S. When we caught up with him today in Belize City, Dr. Martinez said negotiations are still underway, and Belize isn’t going it alone. CARICOM is backing the effort, and Martinez pointed to the MCC Grants as one of the big wins coming out of these discussions. He says the government remains focused on securing the best possible outcome for Belize.

 

Dr. Osmond Martinez, Minister of State, Ministry of Economic Development

“That information came through the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economic Trade. They has disseminated that information to the Office of the Prime Minister. Now, we will be sharing this information with the private sectors and see how we can best take advantage of it.”

 

Britney Gordon

“Speaking to small businesses, they feel that they are going to be greatly hindered. Is there any discussions about how we can assist them from here in Belize?”

 

Dr. Osmond Martinez

“It is an ongoing negotiation and I think Belize has done pretty well with negotiating with the United States. Lately it was announced that we received back the MCC grants. The Ministry of Foreign Trade continues to negotiate. But in addition, Belize is a member of CARICOM and CARICOM as a block is also doing it own negotiations through the CARICOM Secretariat.”