Jamaican Till I Die!

Chair of the Caribbean community, Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, sends out a message to the Caribbean Community Good day. I speak to all our Caribbean brothers and sisters today, not as the Prime Minister of Barbados, but in my capacity as chair of the Caribbean Community. Our world is in crisis. I will not sugarcoat it. These are among the most challenging of times for our region since the majority of our members gained their independence. Indeed, it is the most difficult period our world has faced since the end of World War II, 80 years ago. Our planet faces a climate catastrophe that worsens every year. We have a cost-of-living crisis that has been bedevilling us since the disruption of supply chains, when the COVID-19 Pandemic triggered the shutdown of the majority of countries. Misinformation, disinformation and manipulation are relevant. The mental health crisis is causing hopelessness among many of our young people, and regrettably, crime and fear are on the rise. We’r...

In 2023 , Jamaica imported goods worth approximately $3.13 Billion from the United States, accounting for 41% of its total imports. In 2023, Jamaica's total exports to the United States amounted to $709 Million. In 2023 Jamaica’s Balance of Trade with the USA was Negative US$2.4 billion. That is what Jamaica pumped into the US economy in 2023. For the period of January to November 2024 , Jamaica's total imports from the United States were valued at US$6.7 billion. In 2024, Jamaica's total exports to the United States were valued at $376.34 million. In 2024 Jamaica’s Balance of Trade with the USA was Negative US$6.32366 billion. That is the amount Jamaica pumped into the US economy! Jamaica consistently runs a large balance of trade deficit with the USA. But the USA still placed 10% tariff on Jamaica’s small exports to the USA. The USA is punishing Jamaica even though we send billions to the USA every year, 20% at times over 30% of our GDP! This Continued Balance of Trad...