Benita Keme-Palacio - Greater Belize Media

US and China Slash Tariffs in 90-Day Trade Truce

The United States and China have agreed to a 90-day pause in their escalating trade war, slashing tariffs on both sides in what President Donald Trump called “a total reset with China” this morning at the White House, according to The Guardian.

Following two days of high-level talks, US tariffs on Chinese goods will drop from a peak of 145% to 30%, while China’s retaliatory duties will fall from 125% to 10% by Wednesday, or “maybe at the end of the week,” Trump added.

The breakthrough comes ahead of a conversation between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The talks, led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, produced a joint statement confirming the dialogue.

The Guardian reported that Bessent spoke on the progress made, telling reporters, “Neither side wants a decoupling,” and suggesting the truce could be extended “as long as there is good faith effort, engagement, and constructive dialogue.”

Belizean Appointed to NCDA Board

Laura Tucker-Longsworth of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition will represent the Caribbean on the Board of the NCD Alliance (NCDA) for the 2025–2027 term. Her appointment was confirmed during the NCDA’s virtual General Assembly, the alliance’s highest governing body, which convenes every two years.

Tucker-Longsworth joins a 14-member board composed of global leaders in noncommunicable disease (NCD) advocacy and policy.

“It has been such a privilege and an honour to have served as the NCDA President over the past two years,” said the outgoing President, Dr Monika Arora. “I have every confidence NCDA will continue to go from strength to strength under the leadership of Leslie Rae Ferat and the new Board during these next two years.”

Leslie Rae Ferat will now be leading the new board for the next two years. The new board is expected to play a critical role as the NCDA approaches the fourth UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs. “. I look forward to working with the Board, the NCDA team and our members around the world to deliver meaningful change for the millions of people at risk and living with NCDs,” Ferat said.

Attempted Murder in Corozal

Police are investigating the attempted murder of 34-year-old Charles Itzab in Corozal Town on Wednesday night. According to police, Itzab was attacked while riding his bicycle on Diego Street just before 7:30.

Reports are that an unknown assailant approached and opened fire, hitting Itzab in several parts of his body. He was first taken to Corozal Community Hospital and then transferred to the Northern Regional Hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition.

Police have not disclosed the motive behind the attack, and no suspects have been detained.

First Day of Papal Conclave Ends Without a Decision

Black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, which signalled that the first ballot in the conclave to elect a new pope ended without a decision.

The 133 cardinal electors, the largest number ever to participate in a conclave, failed to reach the required two-thirds majority of 89 votes. According to the Vatican News, only one round of voting took place on the first day. The result delays the selection of a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025.

The conclave began earlier in the afternoon with a solemn Mass, followed by the cardinals’ procession into the Sistine Chapel and their oath of secrecy. Despite expectations that the first smoke signal would appear around 7 p.m., it was delayed by two hours due to the large number of votes to count.

Vatican News estimated that around 45,000 people filled St Peter’s Square, waiting for the traditional signal. While most did not expect a result on the first day, they gathered to witness the historic ritual.

Voting will resume on Thursday, with up to four ballots possible each day until a new pope is chosen.

Temu and Shein Shift Strategy as U.S. Closes Trade Loophole with Tariffs

Temu and Shein, two Chinese e-commerce giants, are facing steep tariffs after President Donald Trump closed a U.S. trade loophole. According to CNBC News, despite the disruption to their low-cost import model, experts say the companies remain well-positioned to compete in the American retail market.

Shipments from China no longer qualify for the de minimis rule, which had exempted imports under $800 from tariffs. The change exposes platforms like Temu and Shein to duties as high as 120%, or flat fees set to double to $200 in June. Prices for direct-from-China goods have already surged, which has prompted Temu to cease direct shipments to the U.S.

Critics long accused both companies of abusing the exemption to “undercut” local businesses and import counterfeit goods. But analysts caution against assuming their downfall.

CNBC reported that Temu has moved to fulfil orders from U.S. warehouses, while Shein is expanding manufacturing in countries like Turkey and Mexico.

The impact is already reaching Belize since many people shop on Temu and Shein using U.S. shipping addresses and freight services. Since the tariffs took effect, several Belizean Shein resellers have adjusted their prices.

Western Union Transfers Now Available via Digi Wallet

Receiving money from abroad is now faster and more convenient for Digi Wallet users. A new feature launched this week allows users to access Western Union transfers directly through the app, removing the need to visit physical locations. The service is a partnership between Digi Wallet, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (B.C.C.I.), and Western Union.

The new service allows users to receive international funds with just a few taps on their mobile devices. “Once you select the button, you will be presented with the Western Union form… Then you press submit; within ten minutes, maximum twenty minutes, you will receive your Western Union funds in your Digi Wallet account,” said Monique Vicente Ford, Marketing Manager at Digi Wallet.

“What the Digi Wallet is now venturing into is wallet-adjacent services… that provide more access, more convenience,” Ford added.

Akmar Codd, Business Development Manager at the B.C.C.I., described the partnership as a natural progression. “It’s something that has been introduced within the region. So we in Belize, we are catching up on this. It’s just the way that we think we need to go. It’s accessible; it has the ease of doing business. It really gives our customers options,” he said.

There are no extra fees for using the digital service, but users must own the account receiving the funds. “As a subscriber, you have different holding limits. When you initially subscribe, you’re automatically provided with a silver wallet and you can hold up to fifteen hundred in your silver wallet at any one time. You can always upgrade to gold or platinum, which has higher limits for transacting,” Ford explained. “So if you know that you’re going to be receiving frequent transfers, you can always reach out to us.”

PSU to Join BNTU in Friday’s Demonstration

The Public Service Union (PSU) will be joining the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) for a joint demonstration on Friday in Belmopan against the Briceño Administration. The demonstration will coincide with the ceremonial opening of the National Assembly. PSU President Dean Flowers told News 5 that the PSU is fully backing the BNTU, citing shared concerns over conditions in the public sector. “The BNTU, PSU, and APSSM are part of what we refer to as the joint union negotiating team, and so the issue or issues that we’re currently facing affect all three associations or bodies,” Flowers stated.

He added, “We will be issuing an official call to our general membership to be at Friday’s rally and demonstration against what we view as injustices against public sector workers by the Briceño Administration.”

Flowers said that PSU’s membership has also requested a “comprehensive plan of action.”

Meanwhile, BNTU President Nadia Caliz addressed the Ministry of Education’s directive that schools remain open. “The Ministry is within its constitutional right… nothing is wrong with that, that comes out every single time we decide to demonstrate or strike,” she said.

BNTU President Responds to MOE Directive to Keep Schools Open on Friday

President of the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU), Nadia Caliz, has responded to the directive from the Ministry of Education (MOE) that all schools are to remain open on Friday, 9 May, despite the union’s planned national demonstration in Belmopan.

In a live statement, Caliz acknowledged the Ministry’s legal authority, saying, “The Ministry is within its constitutional right; that memo speaks to keeping the schools open; nothing is wrong with that. That comes out every single time we decide to demonstrate or strike, whatever it is; that’s their right.”

She pointed to what she described as the memo’s underlying intent: “The other part of that memo is this, which you all understand. The indirect aspect of this is to reduce the BNTU’s numbers on Friday; that is up to you, to you, the membership.”

Caliz reminded teachers of their responsibility to notify parents in advance if they plan to join the protest, stating that teachers” “do not have the legal authority to not school, and there will be no classes.”

“You got to be prepared to take the stand that you voted for,” Caliz said to members and added that the teachers must be prepared to make some sacrifices, including a possible pay cut for the day.

To the ministry working along with school managements, Caliz Mek we put our efforts together to improve the system. Right now, what I know as a leader is that my members are tired; they’re frustrated.”

Belizean Educator Named Teacher of the Year Finalist in Texas

High school biology teacher Shartel “Shantel” Casimiro has been named Teacher of the Year and is now a finalist for the Gainesville Independent School District (GISD) Teacher of the Year Award in Texas.

Casimiro, originally from Orange Walk Town, is in her second year at GISD and brings five years of teaching experience in biology and integrated science. She joined the district through the GEC international teacher exchange programme, which allows qualified educators from abroad to teach in the U.S. for up to three years.

“I’m one of the cultural exchange teachers,” Casimiro stated. “This is my second year here at GISD. I’ve been a teacher for a total of 5 years. But I started back home in Belize.”

Casimiro teaches 9th grade biology and is known for breaking down complex scientific concepts in ways her students can grasp. “I always want my students to look at it as, ‘It’s not difficult; all I need is to learn the concept, and I’ll be okay,’” she said.

Her Belizean background has also been a valuable asset in the classroom when it comes to speaking and understanding the Spanish language. “That language barrier, I try to communicate with them in that language… I’m able to talk to them in Spanish,” she said.

Before her Teacher of the Year accolade, Casimiro was recognised as January’s Teacher of the Month. “We are so lucky to have her at our campus. Much deserved award,” Gainesville High School said in a social media statement.

Will You Send Your Children to School on Friday?

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has issued a directive for all schools to remain open on Friday, 9 May, despite a planned national demonstration by the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) in Belmopan.

In an official memorandum circulated Tuesday, the Ministry stated it “maintains the position that all schools remain open on Friday, May 9, 2025, in accordance with Rule 102(4).”

The memo comes in response to the BNTU’s announcement of industrial action over stalled salary negotiations and the union’s push to raise the minimum wage from $5 to $6 per hour. Over 2,500 teachers voted in favour of protest action during a recent national meeting of nearly 3,000 members.

This Friday’s demonstration is set to be the first step in a possible three-tier escalation that could lead to a full strike if demands are not met.

The MOE has warned against any premature school closures. “Principals are reminded that they do not have the authority to issue notices to parents cancelling classes,” the ministry said. It reinforced that “Friday, May 9, 2025, is a regular school day” and added that “school transportation will operate as per normal.” All principals, teachers, and parents are expected to comply.

However, the public is voicing concerns online. “Trying to undermine the demonstration. As you can see, a lot of people are with the teachers,” one user wrote. Another added, “Teachers have a right to demonstrate… we as parents should support them and find a way to keep our kids home safe.”

Many parents are now questioning whether they will send children to school or join in support of teachers.