US tariff uncertainty stalls VI minimum wage decision further- Premier Wheatley
Speaking on Tola Radio VI's ‘Morning Braff Show’ with host Floyd P. Burnett, also known as ‘Heritage,’ Premier Wheatley said the government was ready to announce the new minimum wage by the end of March as previously committed, but was forced to reconsider in light of evolving global trade conditions.
Further Investigations
US President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, announced trade levies against more than 180 countries, including a 10% tariff hike on the VI imports into that jurisdiction. This is in addition to a range of reciprocal trade tariffs that were placed on a 90-day hold by President Trump on April 9, 2025.
According to Dr Wheatley, “We were prepared to make the announcement at the end of March; But then the tariff situation came in — a possibility of increased prices in the supermarkets and other places. Well, that has basically set us back a little bit. We have to do a little further dialogue, a little further discussion before we make an announcement.”
While assuring the public that the process was still advancing, the Premier called for patience, stating, “...please bear with us… We have some further investigations to do before we make an announcement.”
Ripple Effects
He used the occasion to also speak to the interconnectedness of global trade, particularly the dependency of the VI on imports routed through the United States, with Miami being a critical gateway, telling the listening audience, “We receive a lot of our food and other goods through Miami; Probably about half of the goods consumed by BVI and America comes through tropical shipping.”
As such, “It’s not just the tariffs, but it’s the $1.5 million levy on Chinese-made ships that touch the US shores. These are serious challenges. They have serious implications. And if things remain the same, there will be an impact crisis.”
To this end, the Premier warned that should the proposed US reciprocal tariffs proceed, the effects would be felt worldwide, especially in small, import-reliant economies like the Virgin Islands.
“If a lot of the tariffs go ahead… it will increase prices around the world, just because there is a concept of globalisation that we’ve been living under for the last several decades. The supply chain is not in any one place — it’s global; These are serious challenges… If things remain the same, there will be an impact crisis.”
The new minimum wage of $8.50 per hour for the Virgin Islands (VI) was officially set to come into effect on Saturday, November 30, 2024; however, in a bulletin from the government on December 3, 2024, a postponement on the increase was made “on account of a matter of policy”.
The new minimum wage was approved by Cabinet in July 2024, which would see an increase of $2.50 per hour.
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21 Responses to “US tariff uncertainty stalls VI minimum wage decision further- Premier Wheatley”
greedy bill was passed fast like lightining
money for parties like lightining
anything else that actually benefits the bvi community snail paste or never happens
and these are the same clowns who support you talking about No to Police Bill, No to UK, no to this no to that
No to anything can hamper yall corrupted behavior.
same community going suffer when they call out yall corrutption and end up in jail thanks to the politicans cyber crime bill. we some real clowns mehson
yall got every excuse under the sun to prevent anything postive or progressive for the bvi and still turn around and call for independance.
and i can bet you all that every greedy business and services here going jack up them prices and blame tariffs then all when tarrifs gone them going keep the price so!!! just like corona and gas prices!
the businesses in the bvi alrdy making 200% profite off of us and whenever they get an excuse to increase
them run with it and keep it there until the next big thing...
real wickedness. No decent price control. everbody in high society benefiting i hope for something bigger to happen to happen to our corrutped benefactors with a proper deep investigation and uproot every wickedness planted. COI just scrape the surface ntn more.
The truth is you, Premier, is not an eloquent money managing financial Minister, so you push your responsibility to junior minister, Hon. Lorna Smith, who herself is not eloquent money managing minister either.
Maybe in 2026, or early in 2027 a minimum wage rise may happen, but by then $15.00 an hour will be in order, but as usual, our business community will push back against it, and will succeed, if you were to be re-elected to a next four years term in power as the Premier of the B.V.I
It is my honest opinion that the former Premier was not fit for the Premier position, neither were you, and are you now.
Stop making false excuses, Premier Wheatley, a quickly passage of, let me Say, $10.50 to $12.00 an hour minimum wages is in order, because of fastly higher rise of essencial basic needed goods, especially food items.
We in April fam ????????
This excuse by Showande is pure #$%$erry, so ppl muss 4 #$@$%%%g nothing while dey ga find money to pay dems bills and buy food at a higher price. You can't fool a baby wid $#@!