The Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs has pushed back against media reports suggesting the United States imposed a new tariff on Trinidad and Tobago, stating categorically that no new tariffs have been applied to the country’s exports and that the applicable rate has in fact been reduced.

In a press release issued Saturday, July 25, the Ministry took issue with a Guardian newspaper front-page headline reading “US Slaps T&T with 10% Tariff,” describing the report as misleading and inaccurate, and one that could mislead the business community and other commentators.

“The Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs wishes to categorically state that the United States of America has not applied any new tariffs on exports from Trinidad and Tobago,” the release stated.