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Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, issued a statement today responding to remarks by Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar concerning CARICOM and international relations. Prime Minister Browne said Antigua and Barbuda respects the sovereign right of CARICOM members to conduct bilateral relations but expects the same respect for its own engagements with the United States.
Prime Minister Browne addressed assertions that CARICOM is an unreliable partner. He cited trade data from 2024 showing Trinidad and Tobago earned more than $1.1 billion in foreign exchange from the region. According to Prime Minister Browne, Trinidad and Tobago maintains the only net positive trade balance in the Community. He noted that CARICOM states forwent $142.7 million in customs revenue in 2024 to support Trinidad and Tobago manufacturing through the Common External Tariff.
Regarding regional stability, Prime Minister Browne stated that CARICOM security mechanisms and intelligence sharing remain essential pillars for addressing crime in Trinidad and Tobago. He emphasized that Antigua and Barbuda supports these collective efforts.
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