Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister has delivered a detailed account of last week’s high-level discussions between the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, revealing regional concerns over new economic pressures and a staunch defence of critical health partnerships with Cuba.
The May 6 meeting underscored growing tensions as OECS leaders warned that newly imposed 10% US tariffs risk destabilising vulnerable island economies already grappling with trade imbalances. At the same time, the bloc forcefully rejected US criticisms of its collaboration with Cuban medical professionals, a programme described as “indispensable” to regional healthcare systems.
Economic Warnings Over Tariffs
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre revealed that OECS leaders confronted the issue head-on, arguing the tariffs, applied to imports including those from the Caribbean, could deepen hardships in key sectors.
“Our leaders emphasised the economic hardship this measure may impose, particularly in sectors dependent on US goods, such as healthcare, education and food security,” he said.
With the OECS importing US$2.23 billion in 2023, compared to just $67.5 million in OECS exports million in exports, the Prime Minister framed the tariffs as a disproportionate burden.
“The OECS expressed its willingness to engage in constructive dialogue on fair trade and underscored the need for a more balanced and development-oriented approach,” Pierre said.
‘Legal, Ethical’ Cuba Partnerships
The talks also addressed escalating US pressure on OECS nations to sever ties with Cuba’s medical missions, which Washington has labelled exploitative. In March, Saint Lucia confirmed receiving a diplomatic note from the US threatening visa restrictions for officials involved in the programme.
But the Prime Minister pushed back unequivocally: “While we remain open to strengthening oversight mechanisms, the OECS has fully rejected the mischaracterisation of these partnerships. These programmes are legal, ethical, and indispensable.”
He stressed that Cuban personnel fill critical gaps in rural and underserved communities.
Security and Sovereignty
While welcoming US support for traditional security initiatives, Pierre urged a broader definition of regional stability: “In our region, security must also mean disaster preparedness, climate resilience and economic stability.”
He cited the timely reactivation of the US Early Warning and Emergency Response Programme ahead of the hurricane season.
On diplomacy, leaders reaffirmed their right to engage with global partners like China, insisting such ties are “rooted in development cooperation and not geopolitical”.
Despite divergences, the Prime Minister characterised the talks as “respectful, candid, and productive,” quoting the leaders’ direct message to Rubio: “We fully respect the mandate entrusted to you by the American people … [but] we are also compelled, respectfully and proudly, to share the perspectives and pressing concerns of our own people.”
The meeting, Pierre concluded, set the stage for further dialogue, but with OECS leaders making clear their stances on economic fairness and sovereign policy choices.
In reading this: “Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre revealed that OECS leaders confronted the issue head-on, arguing the tariffs, applied to imports including those from the Caribbean, could deepen hardships in key sectors.” Try as hard as I might, I could not figure out how that led to Pip’s statement, “Our leaders emphasized the economic hardship this measure may impose, particularly in sectors dependent on US goods, such as healthcare, education and food security.”
How can the levying of tariffs on imports from St. Lucia cause economic hardship for St. Lucians importing US goods? Oh! It’s because the St. Lucia government already levies tariffs (tariffs is just the American way of saying import duties) on US goods, long before Trump’s craziness! Never mind the fake concern from Pip! He is just trying to pin the blame on someone else (in this case, Trump) for the planned imposition of even more import duties (tariffs) that must be paid by St. Lucians for anything imported from the US.
The primary source of revenue for the government is import duties (tariffs); Pip is licking his lips at the prospect of doubling SLG’s revenue, whilst the blame can be placed on tariffs that Trump has imposed on goods imported into the US. Pip is banking on St. Lucians being as gullible & economically ignorant as US citizens (he might be right).