Caribbean Trade Law and Development

Tag: tariffs

  • Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest – February 22-28, 2026

    Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest – February 22-28, 2026

    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

    Thank you for reading the Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest, a product of the Caribbean Trade and Development blog. If you found this edition useful, subscribe to our Blog to ensure you never miss a weekly update.

    Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

  • Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest – Feb 15-21, 2026

    Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest – Feb 15-21, 2026

    Dear Reader,

    Welcome to our Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest for the week February 15-21, 2026!

    📌THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

    A week is a long time in trade. And what a week it has been! Below are this week’s headlines!

    The US Supreme Court strikes down President Trump’s emergency power tariffs implemented under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (1977), but the President has already announced he will use other legislation to maintain the current tariffs, and later increased these to 15%.

    World Trade Organization (WTO) members have agreed on a draft decision for approval at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in March on improving the integration of small economies into the world trading system.

    In its latest Global Trade Update (February 2026), UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) notes that uneven tariff hikes are driving trade diversion, while tariff shifts are redrawing the competitiveness map. Have a read here!

    🌴CARIBBEAN AND HEMISPHERIC TRADE STORIES

    Former CARICOM leaders speak out against the U.S. blockade on oil supplies from other countries to Cuba.

    A former President and seven ex Prime Ministers from CARICOM countries issued a statement on February 19, 2026, expressing their concern about the devastating consequences of an absolute blockade on oil supplies from third countries to Cuba, established by the U.S. President’s Executive Order of January 29, 2026, which threatens to impose trade tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba. Read more

    Patterson agonising over Cuba Crisis

    Jamaica Gleaner: Former Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has expressed his “indescribable” personal torment over the deepening political and humanitarian crisis in Cuba – a crisis he says is made worse by the absence of the bold political courage once shown in the era of Michael Manley. Read more

    TTMA welcomes T&T’s removal from EU tax list

    Trinidad Guardian: The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) has welcomed this country’s removal from the European Union’s list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. Read more

    Barbados Leads the Charge in Sustainable Maritime Tourism: Green Shipping Corridor Initiative Set to Revolutionize Caribbean Travel and Trade

    TTW: Barbados is making waves in the maritime industry as it embarks on an ambitious plan to create a green shipping corridor, a groundbreaking initiative that promises to transform both tourism and trade across the Caribbean. Read more

    Which Trump tariffs did the Supreme Court strike down? Here’s what to know

    AP: The nation’s highest court struck down some of U.S. President Donald Trump’s most sweeping tariffs on Friday, in a 6-3 decision that he overstepped his authority when using an emergency powers law to justify new taxes on goods from nearly every country in the world. Read more

    Trump tariff chaos: What does 15% levy mean for trade deals the US signed?

    Al Jazeera: From the EU to Vietnam to the UK and India, multiple countries had signed or finalised trade deals with the US. Read more

    US trade commission launches review of USMCA automotive rules of origin

    Reuters: The U.S. International Trade Commission has initiated an investigation into the automotive rules of origin under the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, the commission said in a statement on Thursday. Read more

    Trump adds 10% global tariff after U.S. Supreme Court decision, but CUSMA-compliant goods are exempt

    CTV: A defiant U.S. President Donald Trump said he will impose an additional 10 per cent global tariffs on Friday after the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down many of the existing tariffs, including some levied against Canada. Read more

    📢 STRAIGHT FROM THE WTO!

    Women’s access to international markets to be spotlighted at MC14 high-level event

    A high-level event on women and trade will be held on the margins of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on 25 March to bring together women entrepreneurs, development partners and WTO members. Registration for the event – which will feature the work of the WTO Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender, the International Trade Centre (ITC) SheTrades Initiative and the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund — is open until 22 February. Read more

    Members endorse draft MC14 decision on boosting small economies’ participation in trade

    WTO members agreed on 17 February on a draft decision for approval at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in March on improving the integration of small economies into the world trading system. Adopted at a meeting of the Committee on Trade and Development’s Dedicated Session on Small Economies, it is the first draft decision to be submitted for ministerial approval at MC14. Read more

    Members discuss new approaches, share experiences on reforming fossil fuel subsidies16 February 2026

    At a meeting on 16 February, WTO members participating in the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform (FFSR) initiative continued exploring new approaches to reforming fossil fuel subsidies and examining the effects of subsidies provided to emissions-intensive sectors. Members reaffirmed the importance of enhancing transparency through greater information and experience sharing. Read more

    🌎 GLOBAL TRADE STORIES

    Asian economies weigh impact of fresh Trump tariff moves, confusion

    Reuters: U.S. trading partners in Asia were weighing fresh uncertainties this weekend after President Donald Trump announced a new tariff on imports, hours after the Supreme Court struck down many of the sweeping levies he used to launch a global trade war. Read more

    South Africa’s trade ministry to oppose liquidation of Tongaat Hulett

    Reuters: South Africa’s trade ministry said on Friday it would oppose the liquidation of sugar producer Tongaat Hulett (TONJ.J), opens new tab, warning of severe consequences for jobs, farmers, and the country’s sugar industry. Read more

    How AGOA renewal shapes Africa’s trade future

    UNCTAD: Despite heightened trade tensions and policy volatility, global trade and growth demonstrated notable resilience in 2025. Supply chains continued to adjust, markets remained connected, even as pressures weighed more heavily on smaller and more vulnerable economies. Read more

    EU says US must honor a trade deal after court blocks Trump tariffs

    AP: The European Union’s executive arm requested “full clarity” from the United States and asked its trade partner to fulfill its commitments after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down some of President Donald Trump’s most sweeping tariffs. Read more

    France’s Macron holds bilateral talks with India’s Modi to boost economic and strategic ties

    AP: French President Emmanuel Macron met with India’s Prime Minster Narendra Modi on Tuesday for bilateral talks aimed at deepening economic and strategic ties as the two countries seek closer cooperation amid global uncertainty and shifting geopolitical alignments. Read more

    Global trade tensions: a “wake-up call” to fast-track intra-African trade protocols – ACCP

    MSN: The African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP) has stated that recent escalating global trade tensions must serve as a definitive catalyst for Africa to realize its own continental market. Read more

    Why the EU won’t anchor an anti-Trump trade bloc

    Euractiv: Mark Carney is eager to build a unified super-bloc capable of squaring up to the trade leviathans of China or the US. But his grand design is really a pipe dream. Read more

    European Commission targets WTO’s key rule in push to rebalance China trade

    Euronews: EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič calls to reassess the World Trade Organization’s “Most Favoured Nation” rule with China in focus. Chinese exports have surged since the country joined the trade body. Read more

    Thank you for reading the Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest, a product of the Caribbean Trade and Development blog. If you found this edition useful, subscribe to our Blog to ensure you never miss a weekly update.

    Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

  • US Supreme Court Tariff Decision: What does this mean for the Caribbean?

    US Supreme Court Tariff Decision: What does this mean for the Caribbean?

    Alicia Nicholls

    On February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), in a keenly-awaited decision, struck a lethal blow to the Trump Administration’s Liberation Day ‘reciprocal’ tariff regime. Asked to determine whether the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) authorizes the President to impose tariffs, the Supreme Court in Learning Resources Inc v Trump (2026) held by a 6 to 3 majority that the 1977 Act does not grant the President such power.

    Although US law contains provisions in various pieces of legislation delegating to the President the ability to impose tariffs for national security reasons, the SCOTUS reaffirmed that it is Congress which has taxing (including tariff imposition) authority under the US Constitution. This ruling has, therefore, served as a check on presidential power, reaffirms the separation of powers, and is also welcomed news for countries whose exports to the US have been largely subject to the Liberation Day ‘reciprocal’ and ‘additional’ tariffs. However, as this article will show, the fight is not over yet.

    How did we get here?

    First, let us take a step back and look at how we got here. From his first term, tariffs have been a central plank of President Donald J. Trump’s neomercantilist America First Trade policy under his pledge to “Make America Great Again”. In his second term, the President upped the ante by seeking to claim broad tariff imposition powers under the 1977 IEEPA. This Act provides the US President with economic tools to deal with “an unusual and extraordinary threat” from a foreign origin and with respect to a declared national emergency. It should be noted that the statute does not specifically identify tariffs as one of these tools.

    In his infamous ‘Liberation Day’ Executive Order of April 2, 2025, the President declared a national emergency with regard to two identified “unusual and extraordinary threats”: first, the flow of illegal drugs from Canada, Mexico and China which he argued had created a public health crisis and second, the US’ “large and persistent trade deficit” which had led to a “hollowing out” of the US’ manufacturing base and undermined critical supply chains. The Government’s central argument was that the IEEPA gave the President the ability to implement tariffs to tackle these “threats”.

    More importantly for the Caribbean, President Trump imposed a 10% “reciprocal tariff” on nearly all countries globally, and additional tariffs on others. While Caribbean countries were subject to the 10%, Trinidad & Tobago’s ‘reciprocal’ tariff rate was increased from 10% to 15%, while Guyana (which currently has a trade surplus with the US) was subject to an additional rate of 38% which was subsequently reduced to 15% after diplomatic negotiations.

    These tariffs were implemented regardless of whether there was a free trade agreement or other preferential trade arrangement in place between the US and that country. Many Caribbean countries, had hitherto, enjoyed non-reciprocal duty-free access to the US market for most of their products under the Caribbean Basin Initiative and its constituent pieces of legislation. However, these new tariffs meant that goods which were originally tariff-free were now subject to at least 10% tariffs, unless they were among the list of exempted goods which were later expanded to include crude oil, aluminum ore, gold, nitrogen fertilisers, among other goods of export interest to the region.

    Impact of the Tariffs

    It is importers which pay import tariffs and not foreign countries. Importers can either absorb the costs, or, as they often do, pass them on to consumers.

    The US Chamber of Commerce vocally criticized the broad-based use of tariffs and many US small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were particularly impacted. This is what prompted Rick Woldenberg, CEO of Learning Resources Inc, a small family-owned business specializing in educational children’s toys, to bring this suit against the Trump Administration’s over the IEEPA tariffs.

    In an MSNBC interview in the aftermath of the ruling, the CEO stated that his business had lost millions of dollars because of these tariffs in 2025. His is one of several US businesses which are now seeking refunds from the Federal Government for the tariffs they paid (plus interest), and which Penn-Wharton projects at US 175 billion.

    US householders also were among those impacted by the tariffs, which a Tax Foundation report estimated as amounting to an average tax increase of US $1,000 per household in 2025 and a projected US$1,300 in 2026. Indeed, polling shows that the tariffs are increasingly unpopular among the American populace.

    Moreover, the tariffs have not even achieved their stated objectives. Although tariff revenue has increased, the US trade deficit still remains wide and the merchandise trade deficit reached a record high in 2025. This is not surprising as many US businesses and households in the first half of 2025 rushed to bring in imported products before the tariffs came into effect.

    What does this ruling  mean for the Caribbean and what next?

    It should be noted that this ruling only applies to the IEEPA tariffs and not the national security tariffs under other statutes, such as the Section 232 (Trade Expansion Act 1962) and 301 (Trade Act of 1974) tariffs.  However, on the face of it, the SCOTUS ruling is good news for Caribbean countries, which were caught under the now illegal IEEPA tariffs. The US remains the region’s largest trading partner and the main market for extra-regional exports. Tariffs on Caribbean goods make these goods less price competitive in the US market, and therefore impact Caribbean firms exporting to the US, and ultimately pose challenges for Caribbean economies.

    However, this matter is not over yet. In his address on the SCOTUS’ decision, President Trump termed the ruling “deeply disappointing”, while having some choice words for the majority opinion justices.

    The President has other Acts under which he can impose tariffs, but these acts have limits on the duration and amount and involve more rigorous procedures. President Trump has stated that he will sign an executive order to impose a 10% global tariff “over and above” existing tariffs under section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. Although section 122 tariffs can only be implemented up to 15% and for a limited period (150 days unless Congress votes to extend them), it introduces more uncertainty for both US importers and foreign exporting firms to the US which hoped that this ruling would have given them some certainty.

    As we await the Trump Administration’s next steps, much uncertainty exists and Caribbean businesses must continue to monitor developments and adjust accordingly. At the region-level, CARICOM and its associate institution, the Caribbean Private Sector Organisation (CPSO), have been proactively keeping their hands on the pulse of constantly evolving US trade policy developments, including engaging in diplomacy to advocate for the region’s interests.

    Alicia Nicholls, B.Sc, M.Sc., LL.B. is an international trade specialist and the Founder of the Caribbean Trade Law and Development Blog: www.caribbeantradelaw.com.

  • Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest – Feb 8-14, 2026

    Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest – Feb 8-14, 2026

    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

    Thank you for reading the Caribbean Trade & Development News Digest, a product of the Caribbean Trade and Development blog. If you found this edition useful, subscribe to our Blog to ensure you never miss a weekly update.

    Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay