Can the Caribbean Rediscover its Place in the World?

THE GLOBAL geopolitical environment is undergoing some radical shifts which are forcing countries to reassess their strategies of global engagement. This is the case for countries of all sizes and level of development.

Two major developments took place recently in the Pacific which demand some reflection from a Caribbean perspective about the latter’s place in the world. Back in May, China proposed a sweeping economic and security deal to Pacific leaders.The deal, which was leaked, apparently covered the creation of a China- Pacific free trade area, humanitarian and Covid relief.

The proposed China-Pacific pact also set out China’s vision for a closer relationship with the Pacific, particularly on security matters, with China proposing to be involved in training police, cybersecurity, marine mapping and gaining more access to natural resources. Analysts interpreted China’s Pacific approach as a major push for influence in the region.

In the final analysis, Pacific leaders rejected China’s offer, with some countries having cited concerns, the nature of which were not publicly disclosed. It is important to note that the Pacific nations concerned, namely Samoa,Tonga, Kiribati, Fiji, Papua New Guinea,Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Niue and Vanuatu, generally make regional decisions on the basis of consensus.

Where China failed, the US recently found success as it signed a broad deal to aid Pacific nations in a move widely seen as a counter to China. Meeting in Washington last month, the US and 14 Pacific nations signed a wide-ranging partnership agreement which prioritises climate change, economic growth and security. US officials indicated that the Biden administration intends to invest over US$860 million in programmes to help the Pacific.

What was profound about the Pacific’s recent negotiations with the Americans was that some of its leaders were reported to have initially rejected the US offer.

Micronesian leaders in particular were reported to have cited inadequate financial assistance to the region in response to the Americans’ first offer. This is a sign that Pacific leaders have a good understanding of their place in the world.

Compared to its recent overtures to the Pacific, the US has been much more chilled in its engagement with the Caribbean in recent decades, irrespective of Democratic or Republican administrations. When Donald Trump was President, in a bid to isolate the Maduro government in Venezuela, he invited five Caribbean leaders to his private club in Florida where he pledged US investment for their countries. There

is no evidence that Trump followed through on his pledge.

Since President Biden assumed office well over a year ago, he met with Caribbean leaders in June, 2022 on the margins of the Summit of the Americas meeting in California. Biden told the Caribbean leaders present that the region is critically important to the US. He also indicated that the major countries of the world have an obligation to help the rest of the world, including the Caribbean, in areas such as climate change mitigation. However, it does not appear that Biden made any concrete pledges in terms of how his administration intends to engage the Caribbean.

No one is suggesting that the Caribbean place itself in the middle of geopolitical contestations between the US and China or between the US and any other world power.This would not be the most prudent course to follow. There is also no suggestion for the Caribbean to project an image that its engagement on the world stage will be driven by dollar diplomacy.

However, what the Caribbean perhaps needs to do is redefine how it sees its place in the world. How does it engage the world’s major economic and military powers?

What will be the principal determinants of its foreign policy? How does it safeguard against individual countries being picked off by certain powerful countries? How does the region secure its development objectives through its foreign policy?

These are questions for which there might be no immediate answers. However, they are worthy of reflection, especially as the world goes through a perfect storm of uncertainty.

Joel K Richards is a Vincentian national living and working in Europe in the field of international trade and development.

Email: joelkmrichards@ gmail.com