Prime Minister Gaston Browne has raised alarms over new U.S. trade policies, warning that a 10 percent baseline tariff on all imports could significantly hinder Antigua and Barbuda’s economic growth in 2025. Originally projecting a 6 percent GDP increase, Browne now says those figures may need to be revised downward.

Speaking on his weekly radio program, Browne pointed out that with the country importing far more than it exports to the U.S., the tariffs will worsen the trade imbalance and likely trigger inflation, as higher import costs are passed on to consumers.

Ambassador Sir Ronald Sanders has also called for a reassessment of the tariff regime affecting Caricom nations, criticizing the disproportionate impact on small, import-reliant economies. Additional proposed U.S. levies, including those targeting Chinese-built ships, could further escalate freight costs and economic strain.

The government is being urged to find alternative strategies to cushion the impact and ensure economic stability.