Durrant Pate/Contributor

The CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO) is pleased with the exemption extended to the Caribbean from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) proposed increased fees regarding ‘China’s Targeting of the Maritime, Logistics and Shipbuilding Sectors’.

The CPSO, chaired by retired Massy Holdings CEO Gervase Warner, is grateful for the ‘USTR Determination’ on ‘China-built vessels’, published on April 17, which effectively exempts Caribbean shipping from the high port fees on China-built vessels originally proposed by the USTR.

As originally proposed, the USTR fees—exceeding US$1-million for each US port call—would have increased the cost of shipping between the Caribbean and the United States with crippling consequences for inflation, shortages, delays, and other supply chain disruptions for the people and economies of the Caribbean.

In a statement, Warner says the CPSO appreciated the USTR’s determination and recognised that this beneficial outcome was the product of leadership and collaboration among several key private sector stakeholders and CARICOM governments. The CPSO specially recognised the CARICOM heads of government, chaired by Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley.

He acknowledges, “The priority attention given to this issue by the heads of government, demonstrated through their advocacy during the meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and communication to President Donald Trump under the signature of Prime Minister Mottley”, adding that this was “instrumental in achieving this result.”

Warner commended the CPSO Secretariat, under the technical leadership of D. Patrick Antoine and his team, which played a significant role with their submissions and oral testimony, arguing that, “The coordination and advocacy efforts by CPSO included a record-setting coordination call on March 18th, 2025, with over 700 attendees from multiple industries and countries across the Caribbean.”

Two regional consultations were also held to define and refine the private sector’s position for submission to the USTR—proud moments of collective action. The CPSO also acknowledges the openness and transparency of the USTR and its panel of representatives from various US government departments.

The panel, Warner observed, “[W]as receptive to the Caribbean’s specific issues raised through submissions and testimonies by CPSO and its partners. The CPSO values the partnership with Tropical Shipping CEO Tim Martin and Jennifer Nugent-Hill, a CPSO-US Business Council (CPSO-USBC) director. Contributions from other key stakeholders included the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), Seaboard Marine, Atlantic Council, Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA), Darwin Telemaque (CEO of the Antigua Port Authority), Gerard Bergasse (regional manager, Tropical Shipping), and the Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC).”

He says Ambassador Wayne McCook, assistant secretary-general of CARICOM Single Market and Trade; and Dr Wendell Samuel, acting assistant secretary-general for Economic Integration, Innovation, and Development, provided seamless coordination. The CPSO was also supported by Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (US Virgin Islands), whose timely participation in a briefing with CPSO, Tropical Shipping, and CARICOM ambassadors was key.

The CPSO advocated for the following exemptions:

1.   Short sea shipping: Initially defined as vessels operating within 2,750 nautical miles between CARICOM/Caribbean and the United States; the USTR approved 2,000 nautical miles (acceptable to CPSO).

2.   Vessels below 55,000 deadweight tons and fewer than 4,999 TEUs: USTR approved exemption for 55,000 deadweight tons and fewer than 4,000 TEUs (acceptable to CPSO).

3.   Specialised cargo exceeding 55,000 deadweight tons: USTR granted exemption for bulk capacity of 80,000 deadweight tons and specialised vessels for transporting chemical substances in bulk or liquid form (acceptable to CPSO).

Looking ahead, CPSO will continue advocating on crucial matters such as the impact of US tariffs on CARICOM trade. Antoine and his team remain actively engaged with the CARICOM Secretariat on this issue. The CPSO is the most recently accredited associate institution of the Caribbean Community. 

It serves to mobilise and advance private sector participation in CARICOM, with a mandate to contribute to the full implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).