June fourth marks a key moment in the Trump administration’s global tariff standoff. Earlier this week, the U.S. gave dozens of countries a deadline—submit your best trade deal offer by today, or risk facing tariffs. But Belize is in the clear. Andy Sutherland, Director General of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that Belize isn’t affected by this deadline. He explained that CARICOM countries, including Belize, are in ongoing talks with the U.S. to bring back the Caribbean Basin Initiative, a program that allows duty-free access to U.S. markets.
On the Phone: Andy Sutherland, Director General, Foreign Trade
“That ninety-day time frame does not apply to Belize because we are not in active negotiation with the U.S. for a trade agreement that would redefine the tariff structures which the U.S. and any other country. But we are engaged through the diplomatic channels or embassy in Washington D.C. are reaching out to the U.S. DR on reinstating the benefits under the CBI. All the beneficiary countries under the CBI does not maintain a trade surplus with the U.S. and not in any way infringing on the competitive position of U.S. companies and industries. We are also forging with CARICOM and various institutions, the CARICOM Caucus of Ambassadors to make the pitch of U.S. reinstating the benefits of the CBI to the Caribbean region.”
So while the pressure is on for many nations, Belize is still in the game, working behind the scenes for a better deal.