Dear Reader,
Welcome to our Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest for the week August 16–22, 2026!
📌 THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS
- Guyana’s private sector raises concerns over proposed CARICOM tariffs affecting refined sugar, glass bottles, paints and varnishes.
- The OECS, UNCTAD and ECLAC conclude an initiative aimed at improving Caribbean trade-in-services data and policymaking.
- The Caribbean Development Bank launches a regional programme to improve the digital competitiveness of MSMEs.
- U.S.–Canada trade negotiations collapse, triggering new 50% U.S. tariffs and planned Canadian retaliation.
- China calls on the United States to withdraw new Section 232 tariffs on drones and related components.
🌴 CARIBBEAN TRADE STORIES
Guyana private sector raises concerns over CARICOM tariff measures
Guyana Times: Representatives of Guyana’s Private Sector Commission (PSC) and Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) have raised concerns with the Government over several CARICOM trade and tariff measures. Among the issues discussed were continued Common External Tariff (CET) waivers for extra-regional refined white sugar, a proposed 15% CET on glass bottles imported from outside CARICOM, and CARICOM’s suspension of a planned 35% CET on imported paints and varnishes pending further assessment of regional supply and demand. Read more
OECS strengthens capacity for trade-in-services policymaking
OECS: The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission, in collaboration with UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), has concluded an initiative aimed at addressing longstanding gaps in trade-in-services data across the Eastern Caribbean. Read more
CDB launches digital transformation initiative for Caribbean MSMEs
Caribbean Development Bank: The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and Small Business Association of Barbados have launched a regional initiative to strengthen the digital capabilities, resilience and global competitiveness of Caribbean micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Read more
British Virgin Islands targets India for financial services exports
Government of the Virgin Islands: The British Virgin Islands is preparing a public-private financial services trade mission to India from August 24–31 as the Territory seeks to expand its presence in the Indian market. Read more
Barbados SMEs prepare for New York export mission
Barbados Today: Nearly 30 Barbadian small and medium-sized businesses are undergoing an export-readiness programme ahead of a trade mission to New York in September. Read more
Trinidad and Tobago moves to reduce dependence on imported poultry inputs
TTT News: Trinidad and Tobago is seeking to reduce its reliance on imported chicks and hatching eggs through the proposed establishment of a large-scale domestic poultry breeding and hatchery facility. Read more
📢 STRAIGHT FROM THE WTO!
India seeks WTO consultations over U.S. quartz safeguard
India has sought consultations with the United States at the World Trade Organization over Washington’s new safeguard measure on imports of quartz surface products. The U.S. measure, which took effect on August 15, establishes a tariff-rate quota with additional duties of up to 50% applying to imports above specified quota levels. Read more
Deadline closes for registration for WTO’s 2026 Public Forum
The deadline for registration for the WTO’s 2026 Public Forum was August 21. This year’s Forum, themed “Powering the Future,” will take place at WTO headquarters in Geneva from September 15–17 and will focus on the role of services trade as a driver of development, income, employment and economic empowerment. Read more
🌎 GLOBAL TRADE STORIES
U.S.–Canada trade talks collapse as 50% tariffs take effect
Reuters: Trade tensions between the United States and Canada escalated sharply after negotiations failed to produce an agreement and new U.S. tariffs of 50% took effect on around US$20 billion of Canadian goods. Read more
Brazil and United States move towards further tariff talks
Reuters: Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed recently imposed U.S. tariffs on Brazilian products during a telephone call on August 21 and agreed that officials should pursue further discussions. Read more
China urges United States to withdraw drone tariffs
Reuters: China has called on the United States to immediately withdraw Section 232 tariffs imposed on imports of drones and related components. Read more
Vietnam says it will address U.S. transshipment concerns
Reuters: Vietnam has said that it will continue engaging constructively with Washington over U.S. concerns about the transshipment of goods through third countries to circumvent U.S. tariffs. Read more
India and South Korea hold latest round of talks to upgrade trade agreement
Republic of Korea Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources: India and the Republic of Korea held the 13th round of negotiations to upgrade their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Seoul from August 19–21. Read more
South African citrus exporters gain improved access to Indian market
SAnews: South African citrus exporters have secured improved market access to India following the approval of additional cold-treatment options for fresh citrus fruit after almost a decade of negotiations. Read more
South Africa and Zimbabwe seek to deepen bilateral trade and investment
The Presidency of South Africa: South Africa and Zimbabwe used their fourth Bi-National Commission and a bilateral Business Forum this week to explore opportunities to expand trade, investment and industrial cooperation between the neighbouring economies. Read more
Mexico challenges preliminary U.S. finding of dumping on strawberry exports
Reuters: Mexico has expressed serious concern over a preliminary U.S. Department of Commerce determination that Mexican winter strawberry exports were being sold in the United States at less than normal value. Read more
Argentina records US$2.1 billion trade surplus as exports rise
INDEC: Argentina recorded a US$2.115 billion merchandise trade surplus in July 2026, supported by strong growth in exports. Read more
Port infrastructure constrains Venezuela’s recovery in oil exports
Reuters: Venezuela’s ageing oil terminals are emerging as a significant constraint on efforts to expand crude exports, with some tankers waiting as long as 30 days to load cargoes because of infrastructure problems, power outages and quality issues. Read more
Colombia’s coffee exports escape major earthquake disruption, but El Niño threatens production
Reuters: Colombia’s coffee industry has largely avoided significant disruption to production and exports following the recent earthquake in the country’s coffee-growing region, but emerging El Niño conditions are creating greater concerns for future output. Read more
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