Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

VI gov't already in talks with USVI over proposed tariffs- Hon Rymer

- said 'constructive dialogue' with USVI on proposed 25% tariffs has commenced
Acting Premier Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) has announced that 'constructive' talks have started with the USVI administration regarding a proposed 25% tariff on imports coming from the Virgin Islands. Photo: GIS/Facebook
The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) Government- headed by Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr (D)- has proposed to slap tariffs on the Virgin Islands (VI). Photo: Internet Source
The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) Government- headed by Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr (D)- has proposed to slap tariffs on the Virgin Islands (VI). Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- On the heels of the Governor of the US Virgin Islands (USVI) Albert A. Bryan Jr requesting an emergency session of the USVI legislature to deliberate on a proposed 25% tariff on imports coming from the Virgin Islands (VI), the VI government isn't rolling over and playing dead.

Acting Premier Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) has announced that "constructive" talks have started with the USVI administration.

"The Government of the Virgin Islands assures the public that constructive dialogue has commenced with the Bryan Administration regarding this important issue for all stakeholders concerned," Hon Rymer stated today, February 20, 2025.

Hon Rymer also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to maintaining the strong familial and economic ties that bind the VI and USVI.

'Mutual respect'

"These ties are rooted in mutual respect, shared history, and a spirit of collaboration. We are dedicated to addressing this matter through open communication and good governance to ensure that the interests of our people and businesses are protected."

The Acting Premier said timely updates will be provided "to ensure clarity and reassurance for all residents" as discussions progress.

"The Virgin Islands remains steadfast in its dedication to fostering a collaborative environment that supports sustainable growth and strengthens our relationship with our USVI neighbours. I encourage residents to stay informed through official channels as we navigate this matter together," Hon Rymer said.

See related article below:

VI-USVI Trade war? Gov Bryan fires 1st shot with proposed 25% tariff

29 Responses to “VI gov't already in talks with USVI over proposed tariffs- Hon Rymer”

  • WOWO (20/02/2025, 15:52) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    what do the BVI export? serious and honest question.
    • Guest (20/02/2025, 20:51) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Satisfied tan guests that rather leap over USVI and get to us no matter the obstacle. Says a lot about USVI…lol
    • @wowo (20/02/2025, 22:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Good queation... I windered myself...
      In the letter Gov. Bryan is proposing that the import tax would be on goods and individuals....
      Additional entry and exit fees.
  • alicia (20/02/2025, 15:55) Like (12) Dislike (13) Reply
    Just drop your ridiculous plans to over charge charter boats and the proposed tariffs will go away. They are only firing back.
    • cliff (20/02/2025, 20:54) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
      You must understand to operate a charter boat in bvi you need to accomplish many things from trade license to work permits/registration plus more.
      So this makes it a tad unfair that USVI yachts can come and operate in our waters without any of the above for a seasons worth of charters. Mooring balls are a problem now, we have become like Disney land so yes let’s step things back a bit and protect the industry that’s putting food on the table for many.
  • Marty Probasco (20/02/2025, 16:05) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    Let them raise their dam Tariffs. Let them keep their Bill fishing tournament in their waters. We raise charter fees, so what. Don't let them white people tell us what to do.
  • Eldread (20/02/2025, 16:28) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Albert Bryan afraid of trump so he singing from the tariff hymn sheet to avoid get trump mad. Self survival mode now.
  • The TRUTH (20/02/2025, 16:33) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Stop spending your money down there.
  • Jay (20/02/2025, 16:48) Like (12) Dislike (13) Reply
    Alot of bvi islander went their to get baby but never contribute anything to usvi society.
    • Expat Jay (20/02/2025, 23:02) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      You dont know anything about the BVI. But come to get a job and work ..dont mind our business whilst you're here.
    • @jay (20/02/2025, 23:10) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
      Bvi People shop big in USVI for years most high end stores are gone from St Thomas bc the high importation of Hat----& Span.---- cant afford to shop in those high end stores

      Jay doesnt know a thing!
    • FACTZ (21/02/2025, 08:46) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      BVIslanders do not go there anymore, it's Belongers who come here and get BVI Citizenship. Some even overstayed and are being hunted by ICE now.
    • nope (21/02/2025, 13:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      People stopped doing that a long time ago. Being an American isn't as beneficial and appeasing as it use to be.
  • Survival. (20/02/2025, 17:13) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is a game of survival. USVI is all about USVI surviving. So, they letting us no and they are clearly making the deference known. We are not one Virgin Islands, we are British Virgin Islands. We need to get serious and stop playing and start fighting..
    • Virgin Islander (21/02/2025, 09:07) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Until the constitution changes, we have been, we are, and ALWAYS will be the VIRGIN ISLANDS. He needs to learn the history of these VIRGIN ISLANDS and those sold by Denmark to the United States for $25 million ($594,550,000 in 2025) which took over the administration on 31 March 1917 and renamed the territory the United States Virgin Islands. This is documented history. So please do not get it twisted. Over the years we have given more to the US Virgin Islands than they have given to these VIRGIN ISLANDS. Those who know, know. Those who just come will never know the unwritten history and that is why we should all get along.
  • Blind Man (20/02/2025, 18:11) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    What we have to talk or discuss we don't export we import and if we don't go over there and shop who's it hurting there businesses so they want to increase departure tax or collect exit fee on us we just stay home.
  • Bishop (20/02/2025, 18:15) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    Which side actually fired the first shot that caused this looming trade war? Is this a response from Bryan to the Virgin Islands government proposed astronomical fees on charter yachts coming from the USVI? So there is much to digest here but we have to understand what cause this trigger. The Virgin Islands government should explain the excessive fees proposed to go in effect June 1st 2025. So people lets hold our horses until we get to the root of this issue. It is more than meeets the eye.
  • Strupes (20/02/2025, 18:17) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    You guys are so weak. let them continue.
  • Local Brother (20/02/2025, 18:26) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Shouldn’t these talks have happened before the announcement?
  • sun set (20/02/2025, 19:08) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good job kye
  • Unless the Lord builds the house (HoA) they that built it built it in vain. (20/02/2025, 19:53) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    The evidence is critical clear, that our Hon. Premier and his other cabinet members are out of sinc of how to manage our tax dollars wisely. Government business combined is the biggest business of both any and all businesses worldwide.

    The B.V.I is definitely in need of a more qualified Premier, a better financial minister, and a better deputy minister, as simple as that, in order to realize above average governance for the betterment of the people.

    Understand this facts, no political issue can score 100%, neither can it score 90%, but 85% is certainly possible. our current Hon.Premier is about 55% positive. Ronnie Skelton is above 70% plus positive. The other political leaders, as far as financial management is concerned, do lack his equal money management knowledge and proven achievements.

    I am a native who is just trying to help us to be unravel many missteps going the wrong way most of the time, and seems to care less about those of us that are greatly suffer due to his mismanaging of our highly valuable finance.
  • local boy (20/02/2025, 20:14) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    The USVI will lose big by doing this local doesn't carry things or goods to St.Thomas on a large scale. They don't export building materials, etc. The BVI can retailiate to hit all goods coming out of USVI with a 30% Tariffs. Gov. Bryan be careful. Don't cut off your nose to spoil your face. LOL.
    • Agrippa (21/02/2025, 09:14) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Regardless of who says what, a compromise is needed, as who stands to lose most is the common folk in the BVI.
  • rock city (20/02/2025, 22:47) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    I am happy the vip is in power because power hungry Myron and Mitch would have mess this good relationship up that’s why it is important to have a local premier
  • Danny (20/02/2025, 23:26) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Both sides been doing things out of pocket for years but this is something that should’ve been discussed a long time ago. USVI stands on the first two letters “U.S.” We are all Virgin Islanders but we let British and US separate us as if one is superior to the other. Our leaders should’ve been discussed concerns of differences between duties, taxes, etc and it should have never came to this bs at a time when a man like Trump is in office. The man stands on division unless it benefits him and his own pair’s agenda. We are all Virgin Islanders more than we are British or American. Both motherlands are falling, it doesn’t mean we have to be divided as a result. We are more than neighbors, we are all family….lets not forget it as a people. Our governments’ greed shouldn’t divide us as a people, we as a people need to divide our greedy governments. History has a funny way of repeating itself….so if you can’t learn from it, the cycle must continue two fold. I pray for all of us.
  • c (21/02/2025, 00:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVI charges a lot for every little thing shipped or carried into the BVI.
  • THERE HAS TO BE (21/02/2025, 07:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    SOMETHING MISSING , THIS DIDN'T JUST COME OF THE SKY , SEEMS LIKE A LOT VOF CLANDISTINE OPERATIONS ARE GOING ON IN THE DARK , THAT WAS SWEPT UNDER THE RUG , , WELL THIS WILL EXPOSE THE HIDDEN TRUTH ,/ HEY WIGO LETS SEE HOW YOU TWIST& TURN THIS FIASCO INTO ( " ITS YHOSE WHITE COLONIALIST SLAVE MASTERS (UK ) DOING IT TO US AGAIN DRAMA , SO MR EMBELLISHER , START FLEXING OFF ON THE UK ONCE MORE , OR THE GOVERNOR OR CINDY OR LORNA OR WALWYN OR DEM ISLAND PEOPLE
  • WOW (21/02/2025, 11:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Better to pay taxes than having the chi chi bus full
  • Interested (21/02/2025, 13:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stop bending over backwards for Bryan. what do we export to them? We don’t go over there to shop anymore. BVIslanders helped to build their economy when they were down and out, and Pricemart and others put on special sales whenever we had a holiday. Now Kmarks is just a grocery store which we do not need and our people order from Amazon.
    But this is what you get when you lie down with dogs,You get up with fleas.They brought him over here to campaign for them and he insulted the Governor and the UK, and now he has turned on them.
    Let them take that !


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.