Dear Reader,
Welcome to our Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest for the week February 22-28, 2026!
📌THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS
Below are this week’s headlines!
New U.S. global tariffs officially took effect at 10% on Feb 24 after the Supreme Court struck down much of the previous broad tariff regime. President Trump has signalled intentions to raise the rate to 15%.
An illegal regime change war started by the US and Israel against Iran has escalated into a full-out conflict and could cause disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with impacts on global trade, oil prices and cost of living.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) held its 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government from February 24-27. The communique from the meeting may be read here.
🌴CARIBBEAN AND HEMISPHERIC TRADE STORIES
Donald Trump’s new 10% global tariff comes into effect
The Guardian: US president had said he would raise levy to 15% after last week’s supreme court ruling. Read more
Venezuela, Barbados eye trade partnership
Barbados Today: At a press briefing to introduce the Venezuelan team on Thursday, Barbados’ Ambassador to Venezuela, Commander Aquinas Clarke, highlighted Barbados’ goal of diversifying trade links to the south, noting Venezuela’s proximity and potential as a key partner. Read more
Berger Paints’ Barbados plant closure reignites trade rules debate
Barbados Today: Berger Paints Barbados’ decision to close its factory has triggered renewed concern about the future of manufacturing on the island and whether the Caribbean’s regional trade framework is working as intended. Read more
T&T still doing business with Cuba
T&T Guardian: Despite Cuba’s economic difficulties, CEO of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) Dr Ramesh Ramdeen continues to see the north Caribbean, Spanish-speaking island as a potential market of 11 million people for T&T’s companies to trade with. Read more
Premier faces backlash over CARICOM free movement comments
BVI News: Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has come under criticism following remarks that the territory would not accept free movement of Caribbean nationals if granted full membership in the Caribbean Community. Read more
BVI not seeking free movement within CARICOM
Gleaner: The British Virgin Islands (BVI) will not allow the free movement of Caribbean nationals if it is accepted as a full member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has said. Read more
📢 STRAIGHT FROM THE WTO!
WTO members consider enhanced transparency on trade and climate measures
At a meeting held on 26 February, the Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE) took stock of progress in various formats to galvanize work on the trade-and-environment nexus, with particular emphasis on trade and climate measures. They also considered next steps, including enhancing transparency of such measures on a voluntary and pilot basis. In addition, members heard updates on the work in other international fora as well as developments in several member-led environmental initiatives at the WTO. Read more
Members advance work on 2026 review of Trade Facilitation Agreement
At the Committee on Trade Facilitation meeting on 25 February 2026, WTO members advanced work on the second review of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), discussed technical assistance coordination and continued experience-sharing sessions. Read more
Rewiring global value chains in a changing global environment
Global value chains are the backbone of the world economy, even at a time when they are undergoing structural and policy-driven changes in the face of a rapidly changing global environment. Read more
Panel to review Indian measures on batteries, e-vehicles; US appeals tax credits report
The Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) agreed at its meeting on 24 February to a request from China for the establishment of a panel to review certain measures imposed by India in the automotive and renewable energy sectors. The United States notified its decision to appeal the panel report in a case initiated by China regarding certain tax credits under the US Inflation Reduction Act. Read more
Trade and gender group kickstarts thematic discussions for 202
Members of the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender held the first of a series of thematic discussions for 2026 on 20 February with the first meeting focusing on mainstreaming the topic of trade and gender in the work of WTO bodies in line with the group’s 2025-2026 Work Plan. Members also discussed deliverables to be launched at the sidelines of the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, next month. Read more
🌎 GLOBAL TRADE STORIES
Zimbabwe suspends exports of raw minerals and lithium concentrates
Financial Afrik: The government of Zimbabwe has announced, through its Minister of Mines, Polite Kambamura, the immediate suspension of all exports of raw minerals and lithium concentrates. Read more
Half of Africa’s oil to the U.S. comes from one country, as the U.S. cuts African oil imports
Business Africa: A new report has revealed that Nigeria, Africa’s top oil producer, is responsible for 52% of Africa’s crude exports to the United States. Read more
What disrupting the strait of Hormuz could mean for global cost-of-living pressures
Guardian: Donald Trump’s attempt to overthrow the Iranian government by force could trigger a new wave of cost-of-living pressures that embattled governments and central banks around the world will struggle to deal with. Read more
Oil prices surge, but no panic yet, as Iran war continues
NPR: Global crude oil prices briefly surged past 9% late Monday, and stocks fell temporarily as the war with Iran continued its third day. Read more
EU will provisionally apply contested South America trade deal
RFI: The European Commission announced Friday it will provisionally implement a mammoth trade deal with the South American bloc Mercosur, prompting a public split between its two largest member states France and Germany. Read more
EU faces transition period with US after Trump tariff move, says EU trade chief
Reuters: The European Union is facing a “transitional period” of a few months in relations with the U.S. after President Donald Trump’s new “import surcharge”, which threatens to undermine the trade deal the two sides struck last year, European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said on Tuesday. Read more
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Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
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