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Posted on Caribbeansignal.com website.

U.S. Imports from the Caribbean in 2024: A Look at the Dollar Value of Trade

On April 2, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a comprehensive tariff policy that includes a 10% baseline tariff on all imports from countries outside of Canada and Mexico, effective April 5, 2025. This move appears to be a part of a broader effort to address the U.S. trade deficit and promote domestic manufacturing. Additionally, targeted reciprocal tariffs are expected to affect imports from more than 60 countries. As these changes take effect, Caribbean nations are among those that may be impacted, and the region’s trade relationship with the U.S. will likely be influenced by these new tariffs.

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44 responses to “US Caribbean Imports”

  1. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Another angle in the mix is Trump is also obsessively talking about the shipping lane Wars.

    Mia commented China’s high tariffs will also impact Caribbean for cost of their goods shipped through Florida. Frank mentioned Barbados might become a new port to receive these goods form China and Africa. It used to be the Western slave port and military for for the Brits when Africans were first robbed and ripped off.

    Righteous Synergy
    Embrace the gifts of Jah for the
    World to see
    Everything is not just dissonnance depravity
    Let them hear a sound resounding
    With equity
    All the members of the earth that was formed from trinity
    In Africa-Ethiopia is your ancestry
    There’s a family fight of epic calamity
    Where people don’t acknowledge
    Connectivity
    Is that what they call party?
    A gathering in synchronicity

    Done Wrong Type, Love Right (Live Right)
    Love right, live right, love right, live right
    Yeah everything is gonna be alright
    If I and I love right and I live right

    Babylon division of labor
    Made every man dependent on his neighbor
    Now in the hectic hostile speed of survival behavior
    Man and his neighbor are stranger
    So the census keep on a counting
    Because they sense us accumulating
    But the faster that the earth deh ya
    Rotating upon the axis
    The slower things appear to be moving

    False solutions watch them coming
    With their band-aid
    To cover your open heart surgery
    The wind don’t respect limitation
    The wind don’t accept no man made boundary
    Well in the name of the new born baby
    They purpose to do their violent deeds
    When them in the slaughter ya of the infants
    The infantry is what them call their kill man machinery

    The ancient builder is the architectural
    Superior to everything contemporary
    An should have learned what not to emulate
    Man should have learned what not to repeat
    It is apparent that the oppressor’s child is a parent
    He don’t respect land nor sea
    So Wall Street is the high crime center of the earth
    Not southeast Washington DC
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZmRhvm9BBI

    .

  2. TLSN Avatar
    TLSN

    Check the date of this article; and see who it was written by.

    https://timesofmalta.com/article/the-caribbean-way.260362

  3. Horsemeat Avatar
    Horsemeat

    Certainly Panama, possibly and maybe even Barbados could become hubs for prior Miami shipping distribution.

    In an ideal world, that would be a boon for Barbados.

    That tangent aside, when looking at the very interesting summary per the article:

    We should consider these within the context of country GDP.

    What is shocking and disheartening is the high import to GDP of Haiti and Suriname.

    While import to GDP should never be high in an ideal world, and we should seek to reduce this for Barbados, that Haiti is importing so much relatively is virtually criminal.

    This probably reflects the fractured infrastructure and lack of domestic economy relative to the population size.

    Here are some GDP’s (2023).

    Barbados 6.7 Billion
    Antigua 2.0 Billion
    Bahamas 14.3 Billion
    Belize 3.07 Billion
    Dominica 0.6 Billion
    Guyana 17 Billion
    St.Lucia 2.4 Billion
    Suriname 3.5 Billion

    When we further consider the population size relative to GDP’s, the difference becomes even more apparent, with Haiti being roughly 11 million compared to Barbados’s 300k.

    Belize also seems to have an issue, when comparing imports to population size and GDP.

    The further issue with Belize is the relative large land area compared to Barbados, which reflects a resource for agriculture that Barbados could only dream of.

    Clearly there is much work for Caricom to do and potential for the nations to work together to improve conditions for each other.

  4. David Avatar
    David

    It comes back to not allowing a ‘good’ crisis to go to waste.

  5. David Avatar
    David

    Worth a read.

    The silent currency war

    FOR SEVEN DECADES, the United States dollar has occupied an unparalleled position as the world’s international reserve currency. This status is not accidental, but the product of historical developments, military power and strategic alliances.

    Escalating US debt, the rise of China and the ambitions of BRICS countries (an alliance of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa that now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates) have begun to challenge this once unassailable position.

    The US dollar’s dominance was cemented at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944.

    Under this system, the dollar became the global currency, pegged to gold, while other currencies were pegged to the dollar. Though the gold standard collapsed in the 1970s, the dollar’s supremacy endured via the petrodollar system. Today, it accounts for nearly 60 per cent of global foreign exchange reserves and is the primary currency used in international trade and finance.

    Monetary hegemony

    Global dependence on the US dollar gives the US immense power.

    It allows the US to borrow cheaply, enforce economic sanctions with broad reach and influence global financial markets. This monetary hegemony is a key pillar of broader US geopolitical hegemony.

    US hegemony is also underpinned by political influence through international institutions like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. But monetary power is the glue that holds these elements together. The ability to print the world’s reserve currency gives the US a unique capacity to sustain large fiscal deficits and explains why the US, despite having a national debt exceeding US $34 trillion (and growing) and a debt-to-GDP ratio of 99 percent, remains solvent.

    The size of US debt would be catastrophic for most countries, but demand for US treasuries (debt) remains robust because they are considered the safest assets in the world. Foreign governments, particularly in export-driven economies like China and Japan, hold massive amounts of US debt.

    This “exorbitant privilege” allows the US to finance its consumption and military expenditures.

    This privilege is not without vulnerability. The larger the US debt, the more questions arise about its long-term sustainability. In 2023, economists at the Wharton School of Business estimated that US national debt would reach an irreversible tipping point – a US government debt default – if debt-to-GDP exceeded 200 per cent, forecasted by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to occur by 2054 if temporary tax cuts passed in 2017 are extended by the current government. Repercussions for US hegemony would be profound.

    Trade wars

    US anxiety is amplified by the rise of China. China’s economic ascent has been rapid and with it a desire to reshape the global order. US efforts to contain China are visible in trade wars, technology restrictions and attempts to reassert influence in the Indo-Pacific through alliances like the Quad (a grouping of Australia, India, Japan and the US) and AUKUS (a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the US).

    But while the US attempts to contain China through direct and indirect measures, China is working to create alternative financial channels.

    BRICS has become a vehicle for these efforts. One significant development is the establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB) as an alternative to the World Bank and IMF. The NDB funds infrastructure and development projects in emerging economies, reducing reliance on Western institutions.

    China has gone further by developing its own payment systems and financial networks. The Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) is a Chinese alternative to SWIFT, the Western-dominated global financial messaging network. While CIPS is much smaller than SWIFT, its transaction volume is growing by more than 50 per cent year-over-year, bringing hundreds of banks into its network, including “big name” Western institutions like HSBC, and is viewed as a critical piece of China’s strategy to insulate itself and its allies from US sanctions.

    The frequent use of sanctions, one of the sharpest tools of US hegemony, has prompted other countries, wary of falling into Washington’s crosshairs, to grow increasingly interested in non-dollar trade arrangements.

    China’s bilateral currency swap agreements with more than 40 countries underscore this trend.

    However, de-dollarisation is not straightforward.

    The US dollar’s dominance is rooted in deep, liquid capital markets, institutional trust and decades of network effects. None of the existing alternatives – the euro, RMB or gold – currently possess the same combination of stability, liquidity and universal acceptance. But cracks are forming. While the future is uncertain, one thing is clear: the era of unquestioned dollar supremacy and unchallenged US hegemony is being tested. The outcome of this geopolitical and financial tug-of-war will shape the global order for decades to come.

    Professor Troy Lorde is an economist and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. Email troy.lorde@cavehill. uwi.edu

    Source: Nation

  6. David Avatar
    David

    Is it about time?

    SBA targets export drive

    ‘Here is an opportunity for us to consider additional markets for our goods and our services.’

    by SHAWN CUMBERBATCH

    shawncumberbatch@nationnews.com

    UNITED STATES (US) tariff policy now has the trade world in a tizzy, but the Small Business Association (SBA) has not been caught napping.

    SBA chief executive officer (CEO) Dr. Lynette Holder says her organisation is in negotiations with two multilateral institutions in an effort to increase the ability of some of the country’s smallest enterprises to export, especially to markets beyond the US.

    Holder says the SBA is also focused on ensuring that non-exporting companies within its ranks are able to maintain, or at best expand, their share of the domestic market.

    “I am not going to say who they are right now, but they are one or two of the multilaterals that we are negotiating with right now to see if we can access some funding to help build capacity for the export drive that is needed,” she shared.

    “These are things that we have been doing behind the scenes, especially within the last few weeks and months, where we have realised that the global order has changed. We have been looking at that to help with any repositioning that needs to happen.”

    “The truth is of our membership maybe about 20 per cent or so would have the capacity for exports, but even so you have still got to build capacity in the domestic market too, so that those who may not export can still maintain the domestic share that they have,” she noted.

    Appetite for foreign goods

    “And not only that, but consumers now hopefully will see that they need to maybe change their appetite for these foreign goods as much as possible. So this is a new world order that is emerging and we have to re-adjust to suit, in my view.”

    With US President Donald Trump announcing increased tariffs, including a ten per cent one applicable on Barbados’ exports to his country, Holder said she was not “seeing any red flags or hearing of any panic being raised and so on” from SBA members.

    She explained that this was because “since Trump’s inauguration in January and the various announcements since then, we have actually been having member sessions to help with the sensitisation”.

    The SBA CEO restated her case for Barbados to look beyond the US for other markets to exports its goods and services to.

    She used the example of the island’s trade with neighbouring countries that are members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

    Trump’s approach to trade

    “For a while, Barbados had a trade surplus with the OECS sub-region. It was the only region that we actually had a trade surplus with and I think it is unfortunate that we are not doing more in growing our reach in that particular market and increasing our exports to that market,” she suggested.

    “But here is an opportunity for us to consider additional markets for our goods and our services as well.

    “President Trump as a leader of the largest economy in the world he made a case that for too long that country has had a trade deficit with several countries. That is his approach and his administration’s approach to trade, increased tariffs to try to level, as he calls it, the issue of trade. My view is we have to look at other markets, that is a simple, simple solution for us,” Holder stated.

    She observed that “sometimes it would appear that we need to have some exogenous shock, or some exogenous situation, that causes us to get off of our level of comfort and innovate and to change and if this [tariff change] is going to be the catalyst for us, well, it will have to be so”. “For a while this association had been organising all kind of education efforts, even trade missions and all that, trying to say to the private sector and small and medium enterprises in particular, that you cannot just rely on the traditional trading partners that we have had since the Second World War,” she recalled. “We are in a new era and it is time that we recognise that and adapt and adjust to suit. We can’t wait.”

    Source: Nation

  7. David Avatar
    David

    Trump could force debt plan

    A FINANCIAL EXPERT believes he may have uncovered the ultimate motive behind United States (US) President Donald Trump’s globallydisruptive economic strategy built on tariffs.

    It could eventually involve forcing other countries into an American debt restructuring plan and possibly devaluing the US dollar for competitive purposes, suggests Luis Castillo, a fixed income strategist with RBC Dominion Securities.

    He outlined this possibility while addressing the recent Barbados Risk and Insurance Management conference hosted by BIBA, the Association for Global Business at Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle Resort.

    Speaking on the topic Fixed Income Investing – Despite A Painful Path, The Destination Is A Good One, Castillo said that America’s biggest challenge was its “gargantuan level of federal debt”.

    The US federal debt now stands at 120 per cent of gross domestic product or about US$35 trillion with extremely high proportion going to interest payments on that debt.

    The finance expert cited the Mar-a-Lago Accord, a hypothetical blueprint crafted by Stephen Mirren, the US president’s pick to lead the US Economic Council.

    Leverage in negotiations

    “What role do tariffs play in all of this? Well tariffs are used again as a leverage in negotiations. To get a lot of this done you need a lot of multilateral cooperation between different countries. Tariffs and security blankets are leverage play and are used as threats to get people to sit in the negotiating table,” Castillo argued.

    “So perhaps tariffs are not the end goal; they’re just a pawn in a broader chess game.”

    Castillo posited that the US administration sees a high debt burden as “okay, if it is backed by assets”.

    He told the audience: “This is where the idea of a sovereign wealth fund for the US administration has come in and the potential monetisation of the 8 000 tonnes of gold that are currently sitting at Fort Knox at the moment. How can we monetise those assets? Assets that are currently sitting still and marked at the 1973 price of US$42 an ounce.”

    According to the Canadian fixed income strategist, the plan appears to include “turning dormant assets into potential debt collateral”.

    Castillo disclosed the next step would be to force countries holding US debt instruments to take part in a debt restructuring process that would convert short-term US treasuries into long-term bonds.

    “The second pillar [of the Mar-a-Lago Accord] is any sort of debt restructuring does not have to come from within. It can be forced on other nations . . . . What they’re looking to do is force restructurings on other nations. Keep in mind, about 20 per cent of the US federal debt is held by other countries, Europe in particular.

    “This is where the idea of potentially turning a lot of those treasuries into 100-year bonds that are non-marketable and non-coupon payment in order to really kick the can down the road. Now why would these sovereign nations agree to this? Well, otherwise we’ll hit you with tariffs.”

    The BRIM delegates were also told: “A big pillar of the Mar-a-Lago Accord is the continued use of tariffs to achieve broader goals, which in our mind is de-levering what has become an extremely levered nation. The fourth major pillar is dollar devaluation.” (PR/SC)

    Source: Nation

  8. Horsemeat Avatar
    Horsemeat

    The theory of debt restructuring is not new, I have ‘heard’ it before.

    The problem with this hypothesis, is that it ignores other factors such as geopolitical isolation and alternative routes that nations may choose.

    Connected with this, the strength of tariffs rely on one thing, the elasticity of supply and demand, linked with competitive advantage.

    At the moment, the US relies on China and Taiwan for semi-conductors. Supply inelastic.

    Without responsive action on the part of the ese two nations, what is the result of tariffs in this sector? Simply inflationary pressure on all goods that contain semi-conductors. This includes everything from phones to car to AI datacenters.

    That is a massive inflationary pressure. And by announcing its own tariffs, China has not buckled, but has called the US bluff.

    The MAGA responsive is that the US is building semi-conductor plants.

    To scale up to current needs takes time, during which there will be significant economic damage.

    In addition, how about raw materials? Yes, that is why Greenland is so important to the Trump admin. Rather than pay market value for their minerals, they want to grab it cheaply.

    This is not a short term fix for a long term problem. The tariffs are not a magic button.

    Now we add, the currency reserve issue.

    This is the really big one. In my opinion, this will happen earlier than later and the tariff issue may actually serve to catalyse the implementation of a reserve currency.

    Remember, Ghadaffi clearly stated his intention and had begin to act, to move to the Euro as Libya’s reserve currency, before the political issues caused his demise.

    There is no doubt that the reserve currency issue, is the most pressing one for the USA at this time.

    The problem with using tariffs to browbeat other nations into policy, is that a situation is created that causes other countries to be open to new arrangements and isolationism will surely accelerate a new globally accepted reserve currency.

    China’s domestic political infrastructure gives it greater ability to win a war of attrition on tariffs.

    It also has economic partnerships across the globe, which assist in keeping its status strong.

    The contrast is the US eliminating programmes such as US Aid, which helped build allies across the globe.

    You cannot win friends and influence people with a tamarind rod.

    But sugar cakes, mauby and a game of dominoes goes far.

  9. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Very perceptive @ Horsemeat

    The USA is up shitstreet, and paddle-less, as an INEVITABLE consequence of living high on the PONZI FIAT $US CURRENCY scheme initiated by Richard Nixon.

    ALL Ponzi schemes MUST collapse… and this one has been extended many times –
    by murdering people like Gaddafi, Saddam, and others, …then via the COVID plandemic etc.

    The last planned ‘extension’ of the Ponzi was via Ukraine, but Putin was a bridge too far, and the back-up China extension plan is a no-go – because Xi is about 100 times more intelligent than all of the US leaders combined…

    It has ONLY been the fact that the FIAT $US has been the world’s reserve currency for 50 years (allowing them to lend themselves UNLIMITED amounts) that allows the USA to continue…

    BRICS has now put and END to that luxury….

    So these ‘tariffs’ are the last straws being clutched at by the drowning Ponzi manipulators… as Horsemeat posits, to try to do with a tamarind rod, what Brassbados has done by begging, borrowing and bending over…(with sugarcakes, mauby and WeGatherin)
    ie – to restructure their 120+% national debt in order to reduce the CRIPPLING interest expense incurred to (foreign) bond holders.
    BUT…
    It shall NOT end well….
    …for ANYONE….

  10. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Re: The Powers That Be
    There are people in power who will do anything to keep their power
    But there are others like ? who use their power to see people suffer
    Like S&M sex games for slaves
    Take the pain it will help you appreciate the pleasure more

    What about all the “Protocols” you may well say
    This is a Crossover Economic Shake and Bake
    Economics reach the Brain
    Read All About It in the Headline News
    You have seen this info in the local (Bu) news already but this article shows it in the inter-nation-al news
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/07/caribbean-leaders-donald-trump-tariffs-mia-mottley

    The Big Fight was a TKO Technical Knockout Commentary
    1-2-3-4-5-6-7 Jab combo Whammy
    — 2 = double, 3 = triple, 4 = quadruple, 5 = quintuple, 6 = sextuple, 7 = septuple
    1 U.S. Imports (exported) from the Caribbean hit
    2 Caribbean (imports) exported via US ports hit again
    3 Falling $dollar will hit Caribbean again and again
    4 Inflation / Price Rises will hit Caribbean hard in the face
    5 Failing Businesses will hit locally and globally shortly
    6 Unemployment will rise
    7 Worldwide Recession and Depression will follow in the next series sequel
    G A M E O V E R

    Beating Heart, Ease, Lion on a Throne

  11. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Listen to some real Bajans.

  12. Terence Blackett Avatar
    Terence Blackett

    TAKE YOUR MEDICINE, YOU SUCKERS!!!

  13. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    It’s just another Monday
    Recession On 🔛

    A spiritual woman is the greatest threat to the status quo
    The fruits she will bear, the power she has access to

    The world and all perception are simply too subjective
    They cannot quench the yearning for the truth
    The evidence magnetic, the source is all Kemetic
    And this knowledge must be given to the youth
    So what seems to be a sacrifice to those outside her temple
    As they fail to overstand the path she choose
    Is what she willingly releases as she actively connecting
    With the forces that she learning how to use

    Two is more than just a number
    It is the first evolution of life
    But one is the truth of the matter
    The latter is the fruit of the movement of sin
    Yes, sin, SIN the mathematical manifestation of life spiraling
    And self individual mind
    Is what expansion of consciousness will help one to find
    And womb is a function of man
    We are not separate, all emanating from the same divine plan
    So persecution of the feminine
    Is the reason for the state the world is in

    Note To Self (Okay), In The Beginning

  14. Horsemeat Avatar
    Horsemeat

    Terence Blackett
    April 7, 2025 at 4:13 pm
    Rate This

    Absolute rubbish. A lot of false assumptions within his comments.

    Among the nonsense ”slap a load of tariffs on foreign countries who are not paying their fair share”.

    Tariffs are not paid by foreign countries, they are paid by the domestic citizens i.e. tariffs are a regressive tax.

    The guy is an ignoramus masquerading as making things simple.

  15. Terence Blackett Avatar
    Terence Blackett

    @ Horsemeat

    “Among the nonsense ”slap a load of tariffs on foreign countries who are not paying their fair share”….Tariffs are not paid by foreign countries, they are paid by the domestic citizens i.e. tariffs are a regressive tax…”

    #StopHorsingAround

    When you defend an “ARGUMENT” – the use of innuendo makes for a nonsensical display of a lack of cerebral capacity given the facts!!!

    When you posit a logical argument – then by all means use as much defensive language as you want but show some #RealSubstanceBruv!!!

    Look, here are the facts – given your “ADULTERATED COMMENTS”

    The implementation of tariffs under #TheDonald Trump triggered the most significant financial losses for the world’s richest “FOLKS”, driven by stock market volatility & retaliatory trade measures.

    Here’s how it looks given the losses & the impact

    1. #Top10RichestBillionaires (IN THE USA) with no mention of “(FOREIGN BILLIONAIRES) “LOST” $74 Billion in the monetary “BLOODBATH”!!!

    HOW MUCH HAVE YOU LOST

    The world’s top 10 billionaires collectively lost $74 BILLION* in #NetWorth immediately after Trump’s tariff announcements – mind-bending losses include-

    (a) #DOGE_Provacateur, ELON-THE-PYLON-MUSK lost $11 BILLION* (2.5% of his net worth), primarily due to Tesla’s 13% sales drop & stock decline

    (b) Jeff Bezos lost $15.9 BILLION* (6.7% of his net worth) as Amazon shares fell 9%

    (c) Mark Zuckerberg lost $17.9 BILLION* (8.6% of net his worth) amid Meta’s stock plunge

    THOSE ARE ONLY TOP FINANCIAL HIGH PRIESTS – BUFFET, GATES, ELLISON ET AL HAVE NOT DISCLOSED THEIR LOSSES

    2. Global Billionaire Wealth Erosion
    500 Richest People: Suffered a $536 billion collective loss over two days—the largest two-day decline ever recorded by Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index7.

    Tech Sector Hit Hard: Companies like Tesla, Amazon, and Meta faced steep declines due to reliance on global supply chains and manufacturing in tariff-affected regions (e.g., China, Taiwan)45.

    3. #MarketWideCollapse

    The U.S. Stock Market lost $4 TRILLION* (#WithATee) in value from its February 2025 peak, with the S&P 500 & Nasdaq dropping 8.6% & 10%, respectively

    #TechStocks saw Tesla alone lose $125 billion in market value in [1] day, while Apple & Nvidia fell 5%

    4. Additional Notable Losses

    Larry Ellison (Oracle) – (THIS IS JUST HIS COMPANY LOSES) – #NotPersonalWealth, lost $8.1 BILLION* due to Oracle’s stock slump

    Bernard Arnault (LVMH), luxury goods conglomerate saw shares drop 6%, erasing $6.22 BILLION* from Arnault’s wealth

    The so-called “ORACLE” of Omaha #WarrenBuffett lost $2.57 billion as Berkshire Hathaway’s Apple holdings declined

    5. Long-Term Economic Uncertainty

    Retaliatory tariffs from countries like China, Canada, EU et al imposed tariffs on U.S. exports (e.g., agricultural goods, bourbon), exacerbating losses for industries tied to Republican states

    Regressive Impact

    Although tariffs disproportionately affect lower-income households through higher prices – wealthier individuals though in a position to absorb portfolio losses, there is no denying the colossal loses the “BILLIONAIRE CLASS” has suffered in such a short space of time

    On average, households face a loss of between $200 – $1,200 & in some cases, a $4,000 annual cost increase from tariffs which means that families will have to tighten their belts & find ways of being more frugal

    Trump’s tariffs have not only reshaped trade dynamics but also triggered a historic erosion of billionaire wealth, with tech magnates & global conglomerate leaders bearing the brunt

    While markets may stabilize, the long-term risks of trade wars, such as reduced global growth & inflationary pressures, remain significant in the short term & possibly long term

  16. David Avatar
    David

    @TB

    Yes it triggered losses for the world richest folks. It also triggered losses for the world ordinary folks as well.

  17. Terence Blackett Avatar
    Terence Blackett

    TARIFFS ARE THE 1ST MISSILES SHOTS LOBBED ACROSS THE STARBOARD BOW OF ANY COUNTRY & HERE ARE THE FALLOUT ACTIONS OF THOSE SAID DUTIES/TAXES ON COUNTRY – NAMELY AFRIKA

    #ThisWillAllEndInWW3

    #StayTuned

  18. Terence Blackett Avatar
    Terence Blackett

    @David

    “It also triggered losses for the world ordinary folks as well…”

    #FaSure

    WIFEY CRYPTO HAS SUFFERED SOME LOSES AS WELL BUT HEY-HO – YOU WIN SOME, YOU LOSE SOME: IT’S CALLED LIFE, BRUH!!!

  19. David Avatar
    David

    @TB

    We tend to focus on the rich only. The current chaos triggered by Trump’s tariff policy is greatly impacting the world population, rich, middle and low.

  20. Terence Blackett Avatar
    Terence Blackett

    LET’S HOPE CARIBBEAN LEADERS ARE BRACED FOR THE FALLOUT OF TRUMP’s TARIFFS & HAVE A PLAN B* FOR ALLEVIATING ITS CITIZEN’S HARDSHIPS

  21. David Avatar
    David

    @TB

    How can a very small open economy adequately brace for what is currently happening in the global economy?

  22. Terence Blackett Avatar
    Terence Blackett

    @David

    “How can a very small open economy adequately brace for what is currently happening in the global economy?”

    The Goddards, Seales, Simpsons et al who control BIM* are best suited to answer your question!!!

    GOVs* do what they “PAYMASTERS” tell ’em!!!

  23. Horsemeat Avatar
    Horsemeat

    Terence,

    All you did was post a lot of numbers. Numbers without logic does not display ‘cerebral capacity’.

    What those billionaires lost is a far lower impact to each of them (and will be recovered in time), than to the regressive tax that will hit the poor, than the inflation that will hit the middle class and poor, than the recessionary impact of job losses to middle and lower income earners, both inside the USA and globally.

    The very reason for stock losses is the anticipated future results of a company. Ergo, investors expect a decline in activity at best, more likely a recession, very likely a severe recession if the idiocy continues.

    The billionaires will still eat, play golf, invest and make even more money in time, because their tax burden on profits will be reduced by Trump.

    Everyone else will suffer.

    That is the reality.

    So again, the video you posted displays a ‘lack of cerebral capacity’ in being a very simplistic way to present the situation. And no, this is not innuendo.

  24. Horsemeat Avatar
    Horsemeat

    Terence Blackett
    April 8, 2025 at 5:00 am ”The Goddards, Seales, Simpsons et al who control BIM* are best suited to answer your question!!!

    GOVs* do what they “PAYMASTERS” tell ’em!!!”

    —————————-

    You are living in the 1960’s , 1970’s.

    Those folk have not had input to how resources are allocated in a very long time.

    David,

    Tell the government to implement a proper local production programme. Food and everything else. That is literally the ONLY way to ease the pain. Along with trying to recover what older ‘real culture’ (i.e. discipline, hard work and respect) the island used to have, instead of this bashment rubbish that has caused so much problems.

    The country has gone backwards since the 1980’s. Used to produce furniture to hotel standard, clothes to a high standard.

    Ironically, as the standard of living improved, the local production suffered and declined.

  25. David Avatar
    David

    Some analysts and leading financial institutions are starting to make the call i.e. the US is trundling towards a recession.

    https://www.reuters.com/markets/jpmorgan-lifts-global-recession-odds-60-us-tariffs-stoke-fears-2025-04-04/

  26. David Avatar
    David

    @Horsemeat

    Some of us can talk until dry in the mouth a people addicted to consumption behaviour requires draconian measures to force detoxification.

  27. Horsemeat Avatar
    Horsemeat

    @Horsemeat

    Some of us can talk until dry in the mouth a people addicted to consumption behaviour requires draconian measures to force detoxification.
    ———————–

    My biggest worry is actually the cultural impact on any attempt to ‘detoxify’.

    The joy of village cricket, of dominoes, of a beach day, of Rediffusion or radio, i.e. the simple things.

    That joy was greater than any illicit drug can give.

    Now we have so much more. Video games, internet, but it seems that the joy is much less? Why else is the violence so prolific?

    Have we made it too hard to enjoy the simple things?

    Or are people just hungry and that is turning to rage? (Serious question).

    Because that could be the only ”excuse”.

    There is nothing else that could justify such a situation.

  28. David Avatar
    David

    All you mentioned @Horsemeat and others not are derivatives of community centric behaviours/activities, social awareness etc. Such behaviours are not derived from inanimate devices. Pick sense from that!!!

  29. Horsemeat Avatar
    Horsemeat

    So you are saying that the turn to devices, rather than healthy social interaction is a root cause?

    Makes sense.

  30. John A Avatar
    John A

    @ David

    Barbados could never become a major shipping hub the way it operates. It is the most expensive port in the region to clear a container from as well as being one of the slowest. Look at the backlog of cars and containers in it. We also can not accommodate both cruise and cargo as it stands, so where you plan to berth and unload this cargo? Has the union agreed to a 2 shift operation?

    Talk is cheap and I guess some will swallow the bait but realitiy is a whole other ballgame.

  31. David Avatar
    David

    @John A

    The minister Ian Gooding-Edghill recently disclosed that a lot of the land behind Kensington Court (old Mannings) was acquired by government to alleviate the problem of container storage.

  32. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Grow more vegetables.

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2025/04/08/iica-promotes-backyard-gardening-for-food-security/

  33. David Avatar
    David

    Birds of a feather flock together, we wonder – how we get so.

    https://www.buzzfeed.com/michaelabramwell/jd-vances-comment-on-us-trading-with-chinese-peasants

  34. David Avatar
    David

    @Hants

    We can do better with helping ourselves. It would demonstrate a discipline urgently needed at the household level. However our problem is bigger, however, the hip bone is connected to the …

  35. John A Avatar
    John A

    I suggest everyone listens to the Singapore Primeminister’s address to his Parliament today April 8th. It is only 26 minutes but to the point.

    As for Container storage increasing what does that tell you ? Imports are not up yet we need more container storage space. The reason which he did not tell you is that because the port is so slow containers are backing up. Just as the 400 odd cars have backed up.

    If you cant handle your own cargo in a timely manner how the hell you going handle caricoms? The country that is best positioned to do that would be Trinidad. The other issue is other than The Admiral and one or 2 other small vessels, how you going handle transshipments? You think a shipping company going offer you a vessel for a small amount of cargo every 2 weeks to St Lucia or Dominica? Trinidad, Jamaica and Guyana can battle their own issues, so dont bank on them to be part of any consolidation in and out of Barbados

    Anyhow go to you tube and listen to Singapore’s PM as he speaks to reality and not dreams and hopes.

  36. David Avatar
    David

    https://youtu.be/c5GMKzJVQJM

  37. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    JohnA
    A new facility would have to be built.
    One challenge is Jamaica’s facility is large already.

  38. John A Avatar
    John A

    @ Northern

    Jamaica too is larger and running. We would have to do business completely different to consider making that work. We cant even get our own goods cleared within the alloted period to avoid demurg charges from the shipping agents. Don’t forget just last month we was begging the freight companies to ease us on those charges.

    Also no country in the region is going to risk to spend that money and then tarrifs etc are pulled back and life returns to normal, then what? I mean if each country in caricom was to cough up their share and one facilty was built and owned by all members, that might be worth a thought. Wait scratch that idea that sounding too much like another LIAT! LOL

  39. John A Avatar
    John A

    @ David

    You notice Singapore not ” waiting to see what happen” they already putting measures in place to ease the effect on its people with financial aid etc.

    You heard what the man said ANY DECISIONS WE MAKE, OUR PEOPLE ARE AT THE FRONT. WE WILL ENSURE OUR ASSETS AND PEOPLE ARE PROTECTED AT ALL COST.

    Guest he aint going give away no state land to attract nobody based on his protection of state assets stand.

  40. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    @JohnA
    Yes. No public funds.
    Several private firms have already tried this Florida consolidation/freight service, to less than profitable results.
    If the private sector decide Jamaica is a good spot, they’ll go there.

  41. David Avatar
    David

    @John A

    This government to fear has agreed to share the bounty. Look out for your $300.00 soon.

  42. John A Avatar
    John A

    I thought you had to register and apply for that? They might tell me the cheque in the mail like my tax return from ever since! LOL

    The other thing is you see the talk about the boss lady heading caricom to address the issue. Well she really can only depend on the smaller islands. As I said Jamaica, Trinidad and Guyana big enough to brek for themselves and reroute. Up to today there was no firm word on how Trump will view the freezine areas, as they do not seĺl into the USA even though some are on US soil. Wait next for the tariff on flights in and out the USA to none US destinations. I was told by someone in the US travel sector this may well come.

    The man dont intend to left 10 cents to drop and roll!

  43. David Avatar
    David

    Jamaica will not 100% commit to Caricom because the USA favours them. We heard it from the fork mouth of Rubio.

  44. David Avatar
    David

    Oh?

    https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/08/business/video/trump-tariffs-math-equation-wrong-economist-veuger-cnc-digvid

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