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U.S.Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a cable to American embassies and diplomats around the world, including Jamaica, that the greatest economy will be prioritising trade over aid.

Those countries that choose to work more closely with U.S. companies will enjoy President Trump’s good graces.

The U.S. has already disbanded USAID with Elon Musk when he was Head of DOGE  and President Trump deeming it an organisation giving out large handouts with America not getting anything in return. 

USAID had a US$25 billion annual budget, and many Caribbean countries benefited from its food, education and health programs. 

The State Department cable read in part: “For decades, government aid has been flowing from developed countries with only limited impact. It has not solved the world’s economic development challenges, and it has often created dependency, inefficiency and corruption.

“Donors and developing countries are ready to try a new development aid model. The old model has been government-centred and one-directional: aid flowed from donor to recipient countries. The new model emphasises mutually profitable business relationships between the private sector and countries.”

This is a clear sign why Jamaica and other Caribbean countries must become more self-reliant and step up productivity. There is a need for more local energy sources. Jamaica has a total GDP of around US$20 billion, but spends US$2 billion a year on imported fuel-that’s 10 per cent of its GDP. 

President Trump has adopted an “America First” approach and his Make America Great Again (MAGA) call has won great favour with many Americans. 

There are those American political interests who frown upon Jamaica’s growing business ties with China and its level of investment in the country.  They say Jamaica should look more to the U.S. in that respect.

Joseph Veil, who has conducted research work for both the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) and the Centre for Renewing America, speaking with Our Today said: ‘Jamaica and the Caribbean islands are in our backyard and we are their number one trading partner. For decades, we have been giving them billions in aid while getting very little in return.

“Jamaica’s highways and road networks are built by the Chinese, and now they are taking major positions in port development.. The Government has been very welcoming to the Chinese, but do not call for American firms to come in and operate there.”

“Former US Ambassador to Jamaica Donald Tapia has told Jamaica not to look to the Red Dragon but rather look north to its biggest ally. He, too, says it is time more American businesses had a presence in the Caribbean. Jamaica and others should know by now where their bread is buttered. We give Jamaica around US$50 million a year in aid-it’s about time it was reciprocated.”

Donald Tapia served as the US Ambassador to Jamaica during Trump’s first term as President. He has sounded the alarm on Jamaica’s growing closeness to China.

Speaking at a local media house luncheon, Tapia said: “If the U.S. went to war with China, what umbrella are you under? Are you under the umbrella of China or are you under the umbrella of the U.S.? Think about that.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the presence of American companies is a key for bilateral relations and economic development, with the U.S. playing a key role in logistics, technology and nearshoring.

Addressing U.S. investments in Jamaica, President Trump has said: “We see opportunities to work together in expanding trade and promoting more U.S. investment into Jamaica, particularly in areas such as energy and tourism. “