CARICOM Private Sector Head hails US fee exemption for region amid China trade measures

Gervase Warner, the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Private Sector Organisation (CPSO), has praised the recent determination by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to exempt Caribbean shipping from steep port fees targeting China-built vessels.

The move, formalised in a USTR notice issued April 17, 2025, comes as part of broader US trade actions aimed at China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors—but crucially, it shields Caribbean economies from collateral harm.
“This is a major victory for the region,” Warner said, warning that without the exemption, Caribbean shipping firms using Chinese-built vessels would have faced fees exceeding US$1 million per US port call, risking severe disruptions to trade, inflation control, and supply chain stability throughout CARICOM.
The CPSO—CARICOM’s official private sector body—highlighted that this positive outcome was achieved through collective advocacy, backed by technical submissions, testimonies, and high-level diplomacy.
Warner credited CARICOM Heads of Government, chaired by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, for their swift and unified response, including formal communications to President Donald Trump and robust advocacy during meetings with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The CPSO Secretariat, led by Dr Patrick Antoine, was also hailed for its technical leadership. Their mobilisation effort culminated in over 700 participants from across industries joining an emergency coordination call on March 18, 2025, with two follow-up regional consultations helping to shape the CARICOM position.
“This is proof of the power of coordinated, regional action,” Warner said. “We thank all stakeholders, including national Governments, private enterprises, and media, for playing their part.”
The CPSO advocated for several key exemptions in response to the USTR’s proposed port fees targeting China-built vessels. Among the requests, the CPSO called for an exemption for “short sea” shipping, which it defined as vessels operating within 2,750 nautical miles between CARICOM/Caribbean ports and the continental US. The USTR ultimately recommended an exemption for vessels operating within 2,000 nautical miles—a decision that the CPSO found acceptable.
In addition, the CPSO requested an exemption for vessels carrying less than 55,000 dead-weight tonnes (DWT) and with a capacity of fewer than 4,999 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). The USTR agreed to a slightly modified exemption, applying it to vessels under 55,000 DWT and fewer than 4,000 TEUs. This, too, was deemed acceptable by the CPSO.
Lastly, the CPSO sought an exemption for specialised cargo vessels, particularly those transporting energy and chemical products which may exceed the 55,000 DWT threshold. The USTR responded positively by proposing exemptions for vessels with an individual bulk capacity of up to 80,000 DWT and for special-purpose vessels designed to transport chemical substances in bulk or liquid forms. This decision aligned with the CPSO’s request and was welcomed by the organisation.