US-CARICOM relations

08 Feb US-CARICOM relations

CARICOM is a strategic partner for the United States as priority areas overlap with most of the United State’s interests. This includes migration, relations with Venezuela and Cuba, transnational crime, and Chinese and Taiwanese engagement in the hemisphere. CARICOM – whose members vote in major international organizations – is also vital to the United States’ multilateral goals.

Recognizing CARICOM’s challenges and importance to United States interests, Vice President Kamala Harris announced the US-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC2030): a new framework focused on supporting climate and energy resilience in the region. The United States and CARICOM also established three new joint committees on food security, energy, and development finance. And while CARICOM countries have frequently spoken with Harris, US President Joe Biden – by holding his first discussion with CARICOM leaders since taking office – reinforced the unique challenges facing the region and underscored their need for immediate relief.

Furthermore, on October 13, CARICOM and the United States conducted the ninth meeting of the Trade and Investment Council (TIC) under the CARICOM-United States Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). The meeting was chaired by Dominica’s Ambassador to CARICOM, Felix Gregoire, and Deputy United States Trade Representative Jayme White. Highlighting the significance of their trade relationship, both parties focused on enhancing two-way trade and investment, emphasizing the need for continued growth post-pandemic.

Conclusions from the meeting included commitments to reinforce resilient supply chains, explore CBI program utilization, discuss agricultural sustainability, labor rights, regulatory practices, and intellectual property enforcement. Additionally, they stressed the necessity of full WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement implementation and the importance of collaboration in services, trade facilitation, and the promotion of business engagements between firms. The reinvigoration of TIC was proposed, aiming for regular, intersessional engagements and continued technical cooperation advancement.