BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Prime Minister and CARICOM chair, Mia Amor Mottley, has sent a letter to the President of the United States urging protection for the Caribbean region against fines imposed on Chinese-made container ships accessing US ports. This appeal was made during her address at the official launch of the Courts Welches Superstore at W Plaza, Welches, St Thomas.
During her speech, Prime Minister Mottley emphasized that the potential new levy could have detrimental effects on trade, impacting not only Barbados and the Caribbean but also Florida’s economy. “The expected levy on Chinese-made ships poses serious risks to commerce across the region,” she stated.
Mottley pointed out, “Florida plays a crucial role in Caribbean commerce. The region relies heavily on a quick supply of fresh food and essential goods. Any disruption caused by new tariffs could lead to increased supply costs, affecting everyone involved in logistics in Florida and forcing businesses to seek alternative, possibly less expensive shipping routes.”
She expressed hope that the President would understand the region’s challenges, believing that her letter could lead to exemptions favorable to Caribbean nations.
Highlighting the significance of the new retail store, Trisha Tannis, Managing Director of Unicomer Barbados, noted that this opening marks a strategic shift towards larger, full-service retail locations providing a complete range of products and services.
Mario Siman, CEO and Chairman of Unicomer Group, praised the Prime Minister’s leadership, stating, “Her guidance allows businesses like Courts to expand operations confidently, fostering job creation and contributing to long-term economic stability.”
Felix Siman III, Vice-President and Managing Director for the Caribbean of Unicomer Group, mentioned that the creation of the Superstore was the result of extensive collaboration, merging global retail expertise with the skill of the local Barbadian team.
