Caribbean hopeful for new deals with Biden administration

MIGRATION, trade, regional integration, foreign direct investment, climate change, energy and the war on drugs are just some of the issues the Caribbean would be focusing on as the US gets set to swear in a new president in January.

At the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Institute of International Relations (IIR) panel discussion on Tuesday, on the US Election and Implications for US-Caribbean Relations, there was increased optimism that a Biden administration would see a more diplomatic approach towards the US’ Caribbean neighbours.

Speakers indicated that the Caribbean needs to pay special attention to US-China relations, after US sanctions on the Maduro regime sparked closer interest from China and Russia. Associate professor of government and justice studies at the Appalachian State University, North Carolina Dr Cary Fraser said geo-politics for both countries were at a critical and shaky at this time.

He said, “The US in the process of rebuilding its alliances, particularly with the Western European countries is going to offer the Caribbean an opportunity to engage in a process as part of a coordinated strategy in the Atlantic world about the expansion of Chinese influence.” His statements were supported by Professor at University of Alberta, Canada Andy Knight who noted that the rising influence of China has shifted the global hegemony. He questioned whether or not the US can return to a system where they could lead the world at the multi-lateral level in the international society.

Knight said, “This something the Biden administration needs to contend with it, and it has been a shift that has been occurring for some time. Biden has made it clear that the US can lead again but can he successfully do so with the rise of China, particularly in the Caribbean region.

“The visit by Biden in 2013 to TT shortly before China’s president Xi Jinping’s visit was clearly one to counter China’s growing influence in the region. Anthony Gonzales, Senior Honorary Fellow, IIR Dr Anthony Gonzales added that with China’s presence global negotiations will open up.

He said, “The European Union has a less harsh approach toward sanction when compared to the US. This may give the region a ‘bligh’ as Biden has adopted a more humanitarian attitude towards these issues and as a result, we may see less harsh sanctions and more emphasis on negotiated settlement.”

The panel agreed that the Caribbean needed to work on its regional integration and regional strategy and not function as individual states in order to make a dent in geo-politics and geo-economics. They added that a lack of coordination has been the Caribbean’s weakness in attracting investments.