US Trade Conflict at Standstill, is Belize in the Clear?

The Trump administration’s push for global tariffs is shaking up trade around the world. Countries are scrambling to respond without triggering a full-blown trade war. Back in May, the U.S. hit pause on tariffs for over seventy-five nations, giving them a ninety-day window to negotiate. But now, that grace period is closing fast. Earlier this month, Washington issued a new ultimatum: submit trade deal offers or face the tariff hammer. While the global economy holds its breath, Belize may have a bit more room to exhale. Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Christopher Coye, says CARICOM is in talks with the U.S., and Belize isn’t expected to take a major hit.

 

Christopher Coye, Minister of State, Ministry of Finance

“What I understood in discussions with government officials. Basically that we fall off until July. We basically sit tight until July as that ninety-day period expires. That ninety-day period was to provide an opportunity for the US realtor to negotiate and seek to conclude arrangements with their main trading partners, the top twenty trading partners, Belize or even Belize, as a part of Ka, the entirety of Kako actually. It does not rise to the level of that top twenty. So when that time comes, I believe it’ll be more of a discussion between the US and more so than just us and Belize.”