Agriculture Minister advocates for increased food production to combat US Tariffs

The latest round of tariffs imposed by US President, Donald Trump on that country’s trading partners is expected to have a negative impact on food security in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), with Minister of Agriculture, Saboto Caesar, tabling the idea of Vincentians producing more of their own food to combat this.

Last Friday, April 4, 2025, the US president announced new tariffs, resulting in goods imported from dozens of countries and territories being taxed at higher rates, with cost across a range of commodities expected to increase drastically.

In the announcement he said come April 5, a “minimum baseline tariff” of 10% would be imposed on all countries.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, April 4, 2025, Minister Caesar responded to the announcement by the US President stating that the tariffs on imports are certain to have an impact here in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

“Yesterday, we received the information from the United States of America, as it relates to a new tariff regime which will be impacting the trade of commodities ….

“Any change in tariffs globally will definitely impact the price for food not only in the United States of America, but globally,” Caesar said.

“In St Vincent and the Grenadines we produce significant quantities of food which are exported to the region and also the extra-region, and we are a major exporter of dasheen and other root crops to the United States of America.”

The Minister said the changes announced will see goods exported out of the US being hit with higher prices which will be passed on to consumers.

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