Global trade diplomacy

**Excerpt:**
Caribbean leaders are rallying ahead of a crucial meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 26, 2025, in Jamaica, to address proposed U.S. fines on Chinese-made cargo vessels. These fines, which CARICOM leaders fear could disrupt trade networks and increase transportation costs, pose a significant threat to the region’s oil and gas industries—key drivers of economic growth. Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali has emerged as a leading voice, emphasizing the potential for job losses, higher consumer prices, and economic instability. As the Caribbean unites to advocate for policies that support its recovery and development, the meeting marks a pivotal moment in U.S.-Caribbean relations, with far-reaching implications for the region’s future.