TURKEYEN, GREATER GEORGETOWN, GUYANA (FNN WORLD) — The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett, on Tuesday urged regional trade ministers to deepen existing markets, pursue new trade opportunities, and diversify economic partnerships in response to ongoing geopolitical tensions and shifting tariff landscapes.

CALL TO DIVERSIFY TRADE AND STRENGTHEN PRODUCTION

Speaking at the opening of the Sixtieth Regular Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on June 10, 2025, Dr. Barnett underscored the importance of building resilience within the region’s trade framework.

“The recent tariff shocks are a stark reminder of the need to diversify our trade and economic relations,” she stated. “We must redouble our efforts to deepen existing markets, explore new ones, and develop new partnerships if the region is to advance its goals of economic growth and sustainable development.”

PRIORITY ON TRADE AGREEMENTS AND INTRA-REGIONAL GROWTH

The Secretary-General highlighted ongoing negotiations under the CARICOM-Colombia Agreement on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation as a significant opportunity for expanding regional influence and urged intensified focus on finalizing these agreements.

Additionally, Dr. Barnett stressed the need to remove barriers to intra-regional trade and promote local entrepreneurship. “We need to promote regional production and expand intra-regional trade by updating policies and practices to support entrepreneurship and make trade and business development easier,” she told delegates.

She also called for addressing longstanding issues of non-compliance within the regional trade environment.

SUPPORT FOR REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL POLICY

A key highlight of the meeting was the presentation of a report on the proposed Regional Industrial Policy. Dr. Barnett described it as a critical step in advancing regional integration and urged COTED to finalize the policy and push for its swift implementation to boost regional economic growth.

EMPHASIS ON COLLABORATION AND RESOURCE SHARING

Dr. Barnett encouraged greater collaboration among CARICOM institutions, stakeholders, and regional organizations such as the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO).

“Time is too short, and resources are too scarce for us to continue working in silos when collaboration and joint effort can save resources, both human and financial, and deliver better results,” she stated.

ADDRESSING INTERNATIONAL TRADE CHALLENGES

She praised the CPSO for its proactive trade advocacy, especially on issues related to the America First Trade Policy and concerns over shipping and maritime interests affecting the region.

Furthermore, Dr. Barnett pressed for progress on key trade governance matters, including revising the Common External Tariff (CET) and finalizing the region’s Rules of Origin Regime.

LOOKING AHEAD: ANTICIPATED POLICY OUTCOMES

Expressing confidence in the leadership of Hon. Kerrie Symmonds, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados and Chair of COTED, Dr. Barnett anticipated that the meeting would deliver tangible policy outcomes to reinforce the region’s economic agenda.

FNN WORLD will continue monitoring the outcomes from COTED and CARICOM’s evolving trade strategies.

WASHINGTON (FNN WORLD) – The United States has issued a firm statement condemning the recent sanctions imposed by the governments of the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, New Zealand, and Australia against two sitting members of the Israeli cabinet.

U.S. OFFICIAL RESPONSE

According to the statement, the United States declared that these sanctions do not advance U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, secure the release of all hostages, and ultimately bring the war to an end.

“We reject any notion of equivalence,” the statement emphasized. “Hamas is a terrorist organization responsible for unspeakable atrocities, continues to hold innocent civilians hostage, and prevents the people of Gaza from living in peace.”

MESSAGE TO WESTERN ALLIES

The U.S. urged its allies not to lose sight of what it described as the real enemy in this conflict. The statement called upon the governments of the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, New Zealand, and Australia to reverse their sanctions immediately.

“We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is,” the statement continued. “The United States stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel.”

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE U.S.?

In the wake of this development, analysts anticipate the United States will:

• Increase diplomatic pressure on its allies to reconsider the sanctions.

• Reaffirm its unwavering support for Israel in upcoming United Nations and international forums.

• Continue leading ceasefire negotiations while pushing for the release of hostages held by Hamas.

• Strengthen U.S.-Israel military and intelligence cooperation amid heightened regional tensions.

While the administration remains committed to pursuing a ceasefire, it appears equally resolute in preserving its strategic alliance with Israel and countering moves it views as undermining regional security.

FNN WORLD will continue monitoring this story as it develops.

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA. (FNN WORLD) — Jamaica is set to host the Forty-ninth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) from 6-8 July 2025 in Montego Bay, under the chairmanship of Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica.

Jamaica Assumes Leadership of CARICOM

On 1 July 2025, Prime Minister Holness will officially assume the six-month rotating chairmanship of the Community, succeeding the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados. A founding member of CARICOM, Jamaica also holds lead responsibility for External Trade Negotiations in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet.

18th CARICOM Road Races Set for Rose Hall

As a prelude to the conference, on 5 July 2025, male and female professional and amateur athletes from CARICOM Member States and Associate Members will gather in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, for the 18th CARICOM Road Races. This regional event aims to promote camaraderie among CARICOM athletes while emphasizing the vital role of sport and physical education in enhancing quality of life across the Caribbean.

Official Opening and Business Sessions

The opening ceremony for the Meeting will take place on Sunday, 6 July at 5:00 p.m. at the Montego Bay Convention Centre (MBCC). The event will feature remarks from Prime Minister Holness and Dr. Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General.

Following the ceremony, Heads of Government will commence two days of business sessions on 7 July at the MBCC, covering key regional and international issues.

Key Issues on the CARICOM Agenda

Among the priorities for discussion:

• Developments in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME)

• Regional security issues

• The ongoing situation in Haiti

• External trade negotiations

• Climate change resilience and the climate finance agenda

• Food and nutrition security

• Preparations for the second Africa-CARICOM Summit

• Advancements in transportation, telecommunications, and digitalisation within the tourism industry

• CARICOM Industrial Policy development

Jamaica’s Legacy as CARICOM Host

Jamaica has a proud history of hosting CARICOM summits, including the Third (1982), Eleventh (1990), Eighteenth (1997), Twenty-Fourth (2003), Thirty-First (2010), and Thirty-Ninth (2018) Meetings of the Conference. Notably, at the Twenty-Fourth Meeting in 2003, the Rose Hall Declaration on Regional Governance and Integrated Development was adopted, laying a roadmap for modernizing the Caribbean integration movement and strengthening the region’s voice in global affairs.