Belize reportedly suing TT over non-Caricom sugar imports

BELIZE has reportedly sued TT and St Kitts and Nevis over alleged sugar imports from non-Caricom member states without application of the necessary tariff.

According to an October 17 article in the St Kitts and Nevis Observer, the country Trade Minister Wendy Phipps updated the public during a sitting of the national assembly on a trade-related claim that has recently been brought by the Government of Belize against the Governments of St Kitts and Nevis and the Government of TT regarding sugar imports from two non-Caricom member states.

Phipps said the claim was filed at the Caribbean Court of Justice on September 30 by the State of Belize.

“The intention is to commence proceedings against the two countries stated which are St Kitts and Nevis as well as Trinidad and Tobago pursuant to Articles 2 11 Subsection 1 Part A, Article 2 13, and 2 16, of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and Article 12 A and B and Article 16 of the Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice and Part 10 of the Caribbean Court of Justice Originating Jurisdiction Rules 2019.”

She said that Belize is essentially accusing the countries of importing sugar from Guatemala and Honduras without application of the Common External Tariff on these goods.

“In other words, the State of Belize alleges that St. Kitts and Nevis allowed these imports from Guatemala and Honduras to occur without the necessary taxes being paid as befitting goods that are not produced in Caricom."

She pointed out the period in question is from November 2018 to June 2020 and Belize has alleged that the Federation St Kitts and Nevis has imported 975 metric tons of sugar imports from Guatemala and Honduras free of duty. She said, however, the Government has not imported sugar into the Federation since the supply office was closed in 2015 and "all sugar imports into our Federation would have been based on trading arrangements being entered into by the private sector specifically wholesalers and retailers and their overseas suppliers.”

Phipps reported that she instructed the Director of Trade in the Ministry of International Trade to immediately begin an investigation with the customs and excise department and to gather data on all sugar imports over the past three years.

“The ministry is eagerly awaiting the submission of this report, which will obviously form a critical part of the defence of the case that has been brought by Belize."

When contacted Tuesday Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon told Newsday she was not aware of the issue but she would be looking into it.