Everett Christian. Photo: Antigua Observer

Speaking on Observer AM yesterday, Christian proposed creating a regional free trade zone in Jamaica that would allow CARICOM nations to import goods directly from manufacturing countries, potentially shielding consumers from price increases while avoiding US ports and the associated tariffs.

“We could set up a free trade zone in one of the islands and we are thinking Jamaica would be the most suitable because of the available land mass,” Christian said.

Under Trump’s recent tariff policy, Antigua and Barbuda and 12 other independent CARICOM members now face a minimum 10 percent tariff on exports to the US, while Guyana faces a steeper 38 percent tariff on its oil exports.

Christian explained that by consolidating orders from across CARICOM countries and shipping them into Jamaica, regional importers could “bypass the US ports, bypass the tariffs on the ships and on the goods themselves, and then they can be transhipped from Jamaica to the other islands.”

The former banker stated that this challenge presents an opportunity for greater regional cooperation.

“Sometimes, even though you may have negative impact as we have already seen that’s happening, there are also some bright spots that could come out of that,” he noted.

Christian warned that without such alternatives, Caribbean consumers would inevitably face higher prices, with shipping costs potentially rising by $2,000 per container.

“The merchant in Antigua who imported those goods then are not going to absorb that; they’re going to pass it on to the consumers. So however you look at it, we the consumers will be paying the heavy price,” he said.

He highlighted the irony in Guyana’s situation, where US-owned ExxonMobil produces the oil that would be subject to the 38 percent tariff, potentially increasing fuel costs for American consumers.

Beyond the Jamaica free trade zone proposal, Christian advocated for CARICOM nations to explore direct trading relationships with Central and South American countries.

“We need to explore opportunities where we can trade direct whether it’s with Central America, South America … open new avenues of direct trade,” he suggested.

Christian urged CARICOM governments to act as “one united front” in addressing the tariff challenges, suggesting that the Trump administration’s policies could ultimately strengthen regional economic integration in the long term.