Dear Reader,
Welcome to our Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest for the week February 8-14, 2026!
📌THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS
WTO reform discussions ahead of the WTO Fourteenth Ministerial Conference (MC 14) in Cameroon next month (March 26-29) reflect pressure on the organisation to adapt to rising protectionism and geopolitics-fuelled trade tensions.
China announced its intention to remove tariffs on most imports from African countries starting 1 May to expand trade and cooperation across the continent.
The U.S. House of Representatives voted narrowly to repeal tariffs imposed on Canadian imports under a controversial national emergency declaration.
At a summit in Belgium, EU leaders backed moving forward with a Buy European approach.
Let’s get you caught up on these and some of the major trade policy news from across the Caribbean and the world for the past week!
🌴CARIBBEAN AND HEMISPHERIC TRADE STORIES
Cuba-bound humanitarian aid flotilla organized as US economic sanctions tighten
Latin America Reports: An alliance of progressive advocacy groups announced on Thursday their intention to organize a humanitarian aid flotilla – named the Nuestra América Flotilla – to Cuba next month amidst increased economic pressure on the island by the United States. Read more
Mexico sends aid to Cuba as Sheinbaum walks diplomatic tightrope with US
The Guardian: Much-needed supplies but no oil arrive on navy ships as Trump stokes island nation’s economic crisis. Read more
Trinidad receives US licences for cross-border energy work with Venezuela
CNW: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, in a statement posted Friday on X, said the licences represent an opportunity to deepen hemispheric energy cooperation and strengthen regional stability. Read more
T&T seeks energy gains…Moonilal optimistic over new US OFAC licences…
Trinidad Express: The Ministry of Energy will continue proactive engagement with all relevant partners to ensure Trinidad and Tobago responsibly capitalises on opportunities arising from two new licences issued under the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) General Licence, Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal has said. Read more
Caribbean takes centre stage at CAF’s International Economic Forum 2026 in Panama
Caribbean News Global: Caribbean priorities featured prominently at CAF’s International Economic Forum – Latin America and the Caribbean 2026, as regional leaders, policymakers, experts and business stakeholders advanced discussions on issues at the forefront of the region’s development agenda, including resilience and financing solutions tailored to small island economies. Read more
CTO head sees potential for continued upward movement
Nationnews: Tourism in Barbados and the Caribbean is poised for continued growth this year. Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) secretary general Dona Regis-Prosper is confident that will be the outcome, following what she called “another remarkable year” in 2025 for land and cruise tourism. Read more
Dominican Republic Joins Jamaica, the Bahamas, Guatemala, Mexico, Barbados, and Other Caribbean Countries in Facing Severe Visa Cuts and Travel Changes in the US Under the EXILE Act in 2026: Everything You Need to Know
TTW: In 2026, the Dominican Republic, along with Jamaica, the Bahamas, Guatemala, Mexico, Barbados, and other Caribbean countries, will face severe visa cuts and significant travel changes due to the implementation of the EXILE Act. Read more
Dr Reddy’s pharmaceutical brand exporting to oil-rich territories in region
Jamaica Gleaner: Indian pharmaceutical brand Dr Reddy’s Laboratories shipped its first batch of exports from Jamaica to Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana valued at some US$300,000 – about J$50 million. The shipment marks a step towards positioning Jamaica as a regional pharmaceutical hub. Read more
U.S. House votes against Trump’s tariffs on Canada
CBC: 6 Republicans join Democrats in resolution to terminate president’s ‘fentanyl emergency’ tariffs. Read more
U.S. agriculture groups launch campaign backing trade deal with Canada, Mexico
CBC: Coalition touts benefits of CUSMA to rural America, key voting block for Trump and Republicans. Read more
Trump privately weighs quitting USMCA trade pact he negotiated, Bloomberg News reports
Reuters: U.S. President Donald Trump is privately musing about exiting the North American trade pact, injecting further uncertainty about the deal’s future into pivotal renegotiations involving the U.S., Canada and Mexico, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Read more
U.S. signs trade deal with Taiwan, lowering tariffs to 15%, while Taipei to boost American goods purchases
CNBC: Washington and Taipei have signed a trade deal lowering tariffs on Taiwanese exports to 15%, on par with those on Asian allies Japan and South Korea, while the island will open its market for U.S. goods. Read more
Report on Canada’s 2025 CUSMA Consultations released
MeanwhileUpNorth: From September 20 to November 3, 2025, Global Affairs Canada conducted a second set of public consultations regarding the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) through a Canada Gazette notice. Read more
📢 STRAIGHT FROM THE WTO!
Philippines launches safeguard investigation on ceramic tiles
WTO: On 10 February 2026, the Philippines notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 5 February 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of ceramic tiles. Read more
Korea contributes to WTO Global Trust Fund and WTO Chairs Programme
WTO: The Republic of Korea made a 2025 contribution of CHF 271,000 to the WTO to help build capacity in developing economies and least-developed countries (LDCs), encompassing CHF 145,000 to the Global Trust Fund and CHF 126,000 to help finance the WTO Chairs Programme. Read more
Applications from LDCs open for WTO annual workshop on transfer of technology
WTO: Government officials from WTO least-developed country (LDC) members and eligible observers are invited to apply for the 2026 WTO workshop on Article 66.2 (Incentives for Technology Transfer) of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), to be held in Geneva from 21 to 23 April 2026. Applications close on 16 February 2026. Read more
🌎 GLOBAL TRADE STORIES
WTO chief in Geneva warns of ‘chaos’ if global trade system collapses
Swiss Info: The head of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has warned of “chaos” if the global trading system were to fall apart. But keeping things as they are is not an option, WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo‑Iweala said on Wednesday in Geneva. Read more
After U.S. extends AGOA, China finally agrees zero-tariff access for 53 African nations
Business Insider (Africa): China will implement zero-tariff treatment for imports from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations from May 1, 2026, state media reported on Saturday, in a move that broadens Beijing’s preferential trade regime across the continent. Read more
China-South Africa trade deal signals new era of economic cooperation
CGTN: China and South Africa have taken a major step toward deepening economic ties with the signing of a framework trade and investment agreement, the China-Africa Economic Partnership Agreement for Shared Development. Read more
US, European Union deals open door to nearly $55-60 trillion market, says Piyush Goyal
The Economic Times: India has fully protected the interests of farmers and more than 95% of farm produce in its trade deal with the US, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday, adding that the US and European Union together open up a market of nearly $55-60 trillion for exporters. Read more
EU leaders agree to move ahead with ‘Buy European’ policy
The Guardian: Ursula von der Leyen promises action plan to boost and protect sectors including defence, AI and clean tech. Read more
European Parliament’s political groups agree EU-US trade deal
Euronews: Representatives of the Parliament’s groups have agreed on the conditions for applying the controversial agreement. After the formal vote, negotiations with EU member states will move towards a final text. Read more
Australia, EU zero in on free trade deal after breakthrough talks
AFR: Two days of intense negotiations have all but ended deadlocks over a free trade agreement with the European Union, with a deal now virtually settled and requiring just the signatures of leaders to finalise. Read more
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