Benita Keme-Palacio - Greater Belize Media

U.S. Imposes Tariffs on Cars; Economists Warn Car Prices to Spike

President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on imported automobiles, effective April 3, with the goal of boosting U.S. manufacturing. Trump’s decision is part of his trade agenda, which is expected to generate $100 billion in annual revenue. The tariffs will target both finished vehicles and parts.

Trump argued that the tariffs would encourage domestic production, claiming, “This will continue to spur growth,” the Associated Press (AP) reported. Industry experts warn that the move could result in higher vehicle costs, reduced sales, and limited consumer choices. According to AP, economist Mary Lovely cautioned, “We’re looking at much higher vehicle prices,” noting that the middle and working class would bear the brunt of the costs.

The AP reported that the tariffs are expected to raise the price of imported vehicles by an average of $12,500, which could exacerbate inflation. AP also reported that automakers, including General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis, have seen stock drops in response to the announcement. The American Automotive Policy Council expressed concerns about potential price hikes and the future of the North American trade deal.

International leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, criticised the tariffs. Meanwhile, Trump indicated further retaliatory measures if allies coordinate with Canada, which has threatened a potential escalation in global trade tensions.

Mexico is the top supplier of cars to the US, followed by South Korea, Japan, Canada and Germany. According to the BBC, Germany has vowed not to back down and that Europe must “respond firmly” to Trump’s tariffs.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stated that it does not foresee a U.S. recession but cautioned that a trade war could significantly harm the economic prospects of Canada and Mexico.

Economic Growth of 7.1% in Belize’s Fourth Quarter of 2024

Belize’s economy grew by 7.1% in the fourth quarter of 2024, driven by strong performances in both the tertiary and secondary sectors, according to the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB).

According to SIB’s latest report on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the total value of goods and services produced during the period from October to December 2024 amounted to $1.425 billion, an increase of $94.5 million compared to the same quarter in 2023.

The tertiary sector led the way, contributing significantly to the overall growth, with a 10.2% rise in production, reaching $907.2 million. Key drivers included a 32% increase in accommodation and food services, fuelled by a rise in tourist arrivals. The number of overnight visitors surged by 18.4%, and cruise passenger numbers grew by 13.8%.

The secondary sector also saw growth, with an 8.3% increase in value, largely due to a 13.1% rise in the construction industry. The primary sector saw a decline of 5.5%, mainly due to reduced banana and livestock production, as well as a drop in marine exports.

SIB also reported that the ‘Taxes on Products’ category “rose by 3.6%, from $183.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 to $190.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024.”

According to the report, it shows that although issues in agriculture and fisheries slowed down growth in the primary sector, the overall economy still performed strongly.

Belize’s Imports Fall, Exports Rise in February 2025

The latest report of the Statistical Institute of Belize reported that Belize’s imports went down 4%, while domestic exports had a notable increase of 12.3%.

Total imports for the month were valued at $218.4 million; “this was a decrease of 4 percent or $9.1 million from February 2024, when imports were valued at $227.5 million,” SIB reported.

The sharpest drop occurred in the ‘Mineral Fuels and Lubricants’ category, which fell by $22.3 million, largely due to reduced fuel imports. Meanwhile, ‘Food and Live Animals’ saw a significant increase, rising by $11.2 million, driven by higher imports of orange concentrate and grocery items like coffee and milk.

On the export front, Belize saw a 12.3% increase, with total exports reaching $23.3 million. Sugar was the standout performer, nearly doubling in value to $4.4 million, while marine products like lobsters and conch saw a 77% increase in earnings. Citrus products also grew significantly, up 109% to $2.3 million.

SIB reported that exports of ‘Other’ products, including red kidney beans and pepper sauces, “recorded a significant decline, as earnings fell from $8.4 million in February 2024 to $6.1 million in February 2025.”

In the first two months of 2025, merchandise imports dropped by 7.8%, while exports rose by 7.7%, totalling $40.4 million.

Inflation Up by 1.6% in February 2025

Belizeans saw a slight increase in inflation in February 2025. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) reports that the inflation rate for February 2025 stood at 1.6%, with an increase from 118.0 in February 2024 to 119.8. This rise was mainly driven by higher costs in the ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ and ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ categories, which together accounted for two-thirds of the overall inflation.

Food prices increased by 2.5%, affecting cereal products, fruits like limes and watermelons, and meats. However, fresh vegetables saw a decrease of 2.4%. Non-alcoholic beverages, including fruit juices and soft drinks, also rose by 8%.

Housing costs grew by 2%, primarily due to rising home rental prices and an increase in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which saw a price rise of $7.19 for a 100-pound cylinder. Personal care products, including toiletries and hygiene items, experienced a 3.3% rise.

The ‘Information and Communication’ sector saw a 1.7% decrease, attributed to lower mobile phone prices.

Belmopan recorded the highest inflation at 4.1%, while Independence Village saw a rare deflation of 1.2%.

The year-to-date inflation rate for January and February 2025 compared to 2024 is 1.9%, largely driven by increases in food, housing, and transport expenses. Meanwhile, February’s inflation rate compared to January 2025 was nearly flat at 0.01%.

Consumer Confidence Drops Almost 9% in February 2025

There’s been a major shift in Belizeans’ purchasing confidence. According to the latest report from the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for February 2025 has fallen to 46.0. This drop “reflects a decrease of 8.9 percent from 50.5 recorded in January 2025,” according to SIB.

The CCI gauges sentiments about the economy, personal finances, and major purchases. According to SIB, it has seen declines across all three components: perceptions of current economic conditions and household finances compared to the past year, expectations for the future, and views on whether it’s a good time to make major purchases like homes or cars.

SIB reported that perceptions of current financial situations and the national economy dropped by 9.4%, from a slight optimism of 50.4 to a pessimistic 45.7. Expectations for future financial conditions also fell by 7%, from 59.6 to 55.4. The largest drop was seen in the ‘Durable Goods’ component, which decreased by 11.1%, from 41.6 to 37.0, which means consumers expressed increased reluctance towards major purchases such as homes and cars.

Corozal saw the sharpest decline, with a 20.3% drop, while Stann Creek experienced the smallest decrease at 3.1%. Both urban and rural areas showed a downward trend, with urban sentiment falling by 12.5% and rural by 6%.

Gender and age groups were also impacted, with male consumers showing a 6% drop and females a 7.5% decline. The 35-44 age group reported the most significant drop in confidence, falling by 14.2%.

“After four consecutive months of steadily rising sentiment, consumer confidence reverted to an overall pessimistic level, with all three subcomponents of the index registering a decline over the one-month period,” SIB said in its report.

European Countries Warn Citizens About Travelling to the U.S.

American tourists planning international travel are likely familiar with the US State Department’s “travel advisories,” which provide information about the risks of visiting regions, totalitarian states, or countries with high crime rates, poor infrastructure, or other challenges.

On March 15, European countries issued a warning cautioning their citizens about the risks of visiting the US. These countries have concluded that under the new regime of Donald Trump, the U.S. has become a place where foreign visitors must ensure their documentation is in order, or they may face serious repercussions.

Germany also warned that having a visa or entry permit doesn’t guarantee entry to the US, and travellers could face arrest or deportation for small issues like overstaying a visa or giving false information.

Other countries, including Denmark and Finland, have expressed concerns about the US’s treatment of transgender and nonbinary travellers. The US entry system only allows visitors to choose “male” or “female,” which can cause problems for those who don’t fit these categories.

Additionally, Canada, the US’s largest source of tourists, has updated its advisory urging extra caution when dealing with US authorities. Tensions between the US and Canada stem from the tariff back-and-forth with President Trump and his comments about making Canada the 51st state.

What is 6G and Why is China Leading the Way?

6G, the next generation of wireless technology, promises to revolutionise communications by merging the physical and digital worlds in ways once seen only in science fiction. Think of some of your favourite movies featuring holographic technology, self-driving cars, or advanced healthcare and transportation systems – all things that seem far beyond our current reality. That’s the vision of 6G. It aims to enhance everything from AI-powered systems and telemedicine to holographic communication, bringing these futuristic concepts closer to everyday life.

However, while the technology holds vast potential, there is significant divergence in how countries are approaching its development. China is not one of those countries.

China is already ahead in the 6G race. The country has set up important rules for 6G and made three key technological standards under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 2024. The country’s 2025 development goals include fostering industries like 6G.

A report in the Chinese journal Scientia Sinica Informationis pointed out that European and American operators are hesitant about advancing 6G, largely due to the slower deployment of 5G in these regions. “European and American operators are not willing to develop 6G due to the relatively lagging 5G deployment,” the report stated. Meanwhile, countries like Japan, South Korea, and China are more optimistic about their future.

How 6G Will Differ from 5G?

The evolution of wireless technology goes back to the time when 2G and 3G helped expand communication through voice and text. When 5G rolled out, it offered improved speeds and connectivity and made things like artificial intelligence (AI) possible. Now, 6G will go further, enabling the ‘fusion’ of human and digital interactions in unprecedented ways. It promises to offer even greater reliability, speed, and lower latency.

6G is expected to boost sectors such as telemedicine, smart cities, and intelligent transport systems. According to experts, 6G will also support technologies like holographic communications and digital twins, which are virtual models of physical objects, systems, or even humans, for real-time applications.

How is 6G Being Developed?

The development of 6G is a global effort, but it requires international agreement on the operational standards that will allow for its widespread implementation. The United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is leading efforts to establish these standards and is aiming to have them in place by 2030. The ITU works alongside other global bodies, such as the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), which brings together standards organisations from across the world, including China, the US, South Korea, and Europe.

Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea are moving quickly. China’s rapid progress could give it an advantage in shaping the future of 6G.

While national research and development efforts are underway, the true test for 6G will come with the alignment of these efforts to create a globally compatible system. Ericsson, a major telecoms company, has projected that pre-commercial trials of 6G could begin as early as 2028, with proof-of-concept demonstrations expected even sooner.

Putting it simply, China is ahead in the race to define 6G, which is leaving the rest of the world to catch up.

Carlos Pinto Rescued After Drifting on Makeshift Raft

57-year-old Carlos Pinto’s unexpected journey at sea left his family in shock. His daughter, Dayna Pinto, told News 5 that she believes he was trying to get home after growing tired of working as a security guard on an island. Without hearing from his boss, Pinto set out on a makeshift raft, taking only his personal belongings, food rations, and a wooden paddle. Dayna explained that her father doesn’t own a cell phone.

“We’d been looking for him since around the time of La Ruta Maya,” Dayna said. “We were told that he went to work out at caye. Upon hearing that, our minds were relaxed a little. We noticed that it was taking a bit too long not hearing from him because we know a day or two is the most that we don’t see him around.”

Dayna confirmed her father’s whereabouts after speaking with her aunt, who assured her Carlos was working on the Caye. Dayna was caught by surprise when she received a call from her uncle, who informed her that Carlos had been found by the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) and taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH).

Initial medical assessment by the BCG indicated that his blood pressure was elevated, but aside from that, he was in a “fairly healthy” condition.

“I know that the young man employed him at the time and that he was watching the island for him. He gave me a call right away when he had seen the news,” she said.

The employer told Dayna he was unaware of how Pinto ended up drifting in the sea. Dayna believes her father simply grew tired of waiting and decided to leave. “I guess my dad, at that point, was just tired of being out there, so he decided to pack up his things and come home … I guess he was tired of waiting on the boss to bring him in,” she told News 5.

Carlos is now receiving treatment at KHMH, with his blood pressure being monitored. “I was amazed because like how my dad was on that thing, and nothing happened to him at the time… Sea rough sometimes,” Dayna added.

According to Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, Pinto “seemed quite contented on board that little raft that he was on drifting out at sea.”

Fire Destroys Belize City Building

A fire broke out early this morning at a two-storey wooden building located at the intersection of Victoria and Castle streets. The blaze started around 6:00 a.m., and fire crews responded and managed to extinguish the flames shortly after.

Footage from the scene shows the building destroyed by the fire. Reports indicate that the property was abandoned and had no access to electricity.

Neighbours reported seeing a squatter occasionally entering the building. Fire officials suspect the fire may have been caused by something brought into the property.

No injuries have been reported at this time. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Hummingbird Highway

Police are investigating a fatal road traffic accident that occurred on the Hummingbird Highway on Monday night, which claimed the life of 26-year-old Michael Daniels.

Daniels and his friends had just finished football practice in Saint Margaret’s Village and were heading home to Valley Community when he lost control of his silver Mitsubishi and crashed into a culvert.

In a statement shared on social media, the family stated: “Our hearts are heavy today as we mourn the sudden loss of Michael Daniels.” The family described Daniels as a “kind and gentle young man who will forever be remembered for the joy he brought to the hearts of all those who loved him.”

(Updated 3:11 p.m. local time)