by Kevon Browne
Advocating for a Carve-Out
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN)—Prime Minister Hon. Dr Terrance Drew addressed the nation on April 2, 2025, via The Roundtable broadcast, tackling concerns surrounding the resurgence of Trump’s trade policies and their potential ramifications for St. Kitts and Nevis.
The prime minister acknowledged the widespread unease caused by the looming threat of tariffs on imports from major trading partners like Canada, Mexico, and China.
“What you are saying is absolutely correct. If these tariffs hit, there’s hardly any country in the world that can escape. Not even the large economies can really escape. Not China, not Canada, not Mexico.”
Dr Drew emphasised the government’s proactive approach, highlighting ongoing dialogue with the U.S. to secure a “carve-out” for St. Kitts and Nevis..
“So our argument with the U.S. is that we want a carve-out, because with us, you have a significant surplus of $54 billion.”
Drawing on factual data, he contrasted the nation’s trade deficit, of over $750 million, with the U.S., against the surpluses of other countries targeted by the tariffs. The Federation and other territories have been hit with a 10% tariff.
He explained that the U.S. argument was that “these countries have surpluses with us, and it’s unfair to us, fair enough. What about the countries like us that have deficits?”
He hoped this appeal resonated, noting that the Secretary of State pledged to relay the concern to Washington.
“I think that question was received, and I think when the Secretary of State was in the Caribbean, he said he would take that back to Washington.”
The Imperative of Public Awareness and Self-Reliance
Beyond governmental advocacy, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of public awareness and collective action.
“The second aspect to it is to educate our people. Our people need to know. This is not government-dependent, as some people want to make it out to be. This is beyond government.”
He cautioned that tariffs could impact prices, potentially requiring adjustments in consumption patterns.
“We might be called upon to change how, what we consume, what type of services we access,” he said, adding that consumers may need to consider alternative, more affordable goods from different regions.
In line with this call for self-reliance, Dr Drew outlined plans to bolster domestic food production, to “farm a hundred acres immediately. And before the year is done, we want to have about 300 acres under production of food for our people”.
This initiative would transition workers into agriculture, increasing productivity and food security.
“Each 10 acres is going to take 30 people, a hundred acres is going to take about 300 people, 200 acres is going to take 600 people, 300 acres is going to take 900 people. That’s producing jobs for 900 people, producing food for our people.”
Diversification and Strategic Partnerships
Recognising the need to diversify trade routes and attract investment, the Prime Minister highlighted efforts to explore new partnerships and sectors.
“Open up new trade routes, such as through Nigeria, for example, or the African continent, seeking to open trade routes in Northern Brazil.”
He also mentioned ongoing discussions with “a company called Evergreen, sponsored by the African Bank, to invest discussions going on with respect to investments into aquaculture or fish. And then discussions into chicken production as well.”
He noted the strides made in local egg production, supported by a domestic hatchery, and plans for a slaughterhouse and animal production at Bayfords, developed in collaboration with Southern University.
The partnership with Southern University, a historically Black university from Louisiana, was further emphasised.
The Prime Minister noted, “We signed an MOU with them. Not only that, Southern University is helping us with our animal production, along with Ross University. And the cannabis industry is expected to create a whole new industry.”
These collaborations, combined with tourism enhancements, including the development of the Ritz-Carlton, and infrastructure development, form part of a multi-faceted strategy to fortify the economy against external shocks.
The Prime Minister hoped that “the new reality in the world doesn’t affect the investment, because it is a new reality.”
Energy Security and a Vision for the Future
Dr Drew reaffirmed the commitment to energy security, mentioning the geothermal project on Nevis.
“We reach a point that has never, ever been reached in our history with respect to geothermal. And we are going to open up the bids document in May. The Green Climate Fund was here. And the head of the Green Climate Fund said, I know you all want to do five wells, but we want you all to do the full nine wells and have full energy for St. Kitts and Nevis. You know what that will do for us? We’re going to open up the bidding document in May. I know that there are going to be challenges. But I think, as the leader and the party in power and with a team, we need to start to put things in place so that there could be hope. There’s a lot of hope. And we’re not going to sit back and watch whatever is happening, and countries making their decisions or complain about their decisions. I’m not going to sit here and complain about the decisions that the president of the United States makes. He says he’s making them in the interest of his country. How can I be vexed with that?”
He noted that the Green Climate Fund was pushing St. Kitts and Nevis to expand geothermal production to provide “full energy for St. Kitts and Nevis.”
The Prime Minister concluded by reiterating the need for self-reliance and unity, invoking the words of Marcus Garvey.
“That is the question that is being asked. We have to do for self. That’s what Marcus Garvey said when he came here in the 1930s. He said do for self and connect to Africa.”
He challenged the nation to embrace this philosophy.
“It’s almost as if he knew the time would come when we [would] be left in a deep ocean to swim. And if we don’t reconnect with our people, we’ll have no hope.”
He urged citizens, economists, and experts to engage in independent analysis and open dialogue, emphasising that “Enlightenment is important.”
Dr Drew called on all people, not just the government, “because without the ideas, without the enlightenment, our people can be lost.”
Dr Drew argued that St. Kitts and Nevis can only navigate the challenges ahead and secure a prosperous future for all through collective understanding and action.
