Guyana has found itself among the countries that will face an increase in tariffs to be charged on goods to be imported into the United States. US President Donald Trump announced his Global Reciprocal Tariffs this afternoon and Guyana was listed as one of those countries that will see increased tariffs.

According to the information released by the US Government, Guyana will now face a tariff rate of 38%, which appears to be a blanket rate to cover all goods imported into the US from Guyana.

A number of other Caribbean countries, including Barbados, Antigua, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Suriname and Jamaica are also facing reciprocal tariff rates. However, their goods being imported into the US will face a much lower rate at 10% compared to 38% on goods from Guyana.

News Source reached out to a number of senior Government officials, including Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who indicated that the matter was being examined as it was only announced this afternoon.

Meanwhile, Former Finance Minister Winston Jordan told News Source that the new US tariffs would be bad news for sugar and a range of other exports from Guyana, including Agriculture products.

He said he believes Guyana previously enjoyed protection under special arrangements for the Caribbean, but that now appears to have changed. Mr. Jordan also said it remains to be seen whether oil would be affected.

In announcing the new global tariffs, US President Donald Trump said the US subsidizes a lot of countries and keep them going and keep them in business. He said the US is now putting America First.

He said the US has been “has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike” for decades, and it was time for that to change.

Just last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Guyana as part of a Caribbean tour. It’s unclear whether the issue of the new tariffs was discussed during his meeting with President Irfaan Ali and Government officials. Guyana and the US have close trade relations, and since Guyana started oil production, hundreds of US businesses have opened operations in Guyana.

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