– said CCJ should be resolving body
President Bharrat Jagdeo believes that trade disputes between sister CARICOM states should first be resolved amicably. Responding to questions on the trade impasse between Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, he suggested that Jamaica and other CARICOM states take their trade grouses to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
“We have recourse now to the CCJ,” President Jagdeo told journalists on Wednesday during a briefing at the 31st meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government.
Jamaica’s Industry Minister Karl Samuda had complained publicly that Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) was using food-safety barriers to block the exportation of Jamaican patties to the twin island republic.
That row was eventually settled through negotiation. Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton last week charged that Jamaican primary producers were being short-changed within CARICOM as a result of a subsidised agro-processing sector specifically in oil rich T&T.
He accused the subsidised agro processing sector there of “using raw materials imported extra regionally with unclear duty arrangements,” adding that it is something that has to be examined.
“It is of concern to me that my peanut farmers are unable to compete for the demand of agro processors, due to peanuts from our CARICOM partner, imported extra regionally and processed with subsidised energy and then sent into our market to basically drive our farmers out of business,” Dr. Tufton said.
He stressed that while Jamaica supports CARICOM, “CARICOM’s arrangement cannot be at the expense of our local productive capacity, and it’s something we need to examine and have discussions on”.
Dr. Tufton also noted that under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, there are several avenues facilitating support to primary producers.
“We should also recognise our own context and ensure that we take the necessary actions to be placed at an advantage in terms of our own food security strategy, and where we can offer support in building that local capacity,” he stated.
In response, T&T Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar told journalists that her administration was only a month old and said there were “many, many” inequities which she has inherited.
Referring to concerns of a trade imbalance between T&T and Jamaica raised by Dr. Tufton, Persad-Bissessar promised to address the issue in her meeting with Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding the following day.
Trade and Industry Minister Stephen Cadiz said he had discussions with his Jamaican counterpart Karl Samuda on the matter and that dialogue will continue in Kingston.
“To say that T&T is putting the rest of the Caribbean at a disadvantage, we don’t subscribe to that. We definitely intend levelling the playing field,” he said.
Cadiz added that TT will continue to have positive and strong relations with “our Caribbean neighbours who are extremely important to Trinidad’s economy”.
President Jagdeo said while recourse could be pursued, it should be noted that even large trading blocs such as the European Union (EU) had these kinds of disputes, as there are still major issues with the application of the rules governing trade, amongst these developed countries.
“It (the problem) is not going to disappear tomorrow, even if we are fully integrated, and we establish a Single Economy,” he said.
“We have all subscribed to the court in its original jurisdiction, which is the interpretation of the treaty of Chaguaramas; so if someone feels aggrieved and he has a strong case, he should go to the court, and if there is a court ruling, the country will be forced to comply,” added the Guyanese Head of State.
He reminded journalists that he has been vocal against protectionist barriers which have affected regional trade and accepted that some Caribbean producers might be benefiting from cheaper inputs or greater subsidies.
“It is very difficult to prove those sorts of things because you are dealing with the rules of origin, and sometimes you don’t get all the information,” said President Jagdeo, referring to the CCJ’s ruling against Guyana in its dispute with Trinidad Cement Limited.
(GINA)