Enhanced CARICOM integration pivotal for steering through fragmented global trade landscape, says CARICOM Assistant SG

One of the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM)  senior officials has emphasized that fostering deeper regional integration is a crucial strategic measure in response to the increasingly fragmented and unpredictable global trade landscape.

As international rules-based frameworks weaken and economic nationalism gains momentum worldwide, CARICOM sees regional cohesion as essential for resilience and growth.

A press release indicated that during a panel discussion titled “Prospects for International Trade in 2026 in the Context of the Changing Global Geopolitical and Economic Landscape – Impact on Trade and the Challenges and Opportunities for the Caribbean and Latin America,” Ambassador Wayne McCook, Assistant Secretary-General for the CARICOM Single Market and Trade, shared insights. The event took place on January 28 at the World Trade Centre in Georgetown, Guyana.

In outlining the regional stance, Amb. McCook reflected on recent challenges, noting:“For our Region, the scars of the immediate past are visible. The devastating passage of Hurricane Melissa encapsulated the dual challenge we face: the existential threat of climate change and the inherent economic vulnerabilities of our CARICOM Member States. Simultaneously, we have navigated dramatic shifts in global trade, driven largely by an intensified “America First” trade policy that has significantly impacted our exports, value chains and supply chains through a suite of unprecedented tariff measures.”

He reportedly characterized 2025 as a particularly turbulent year for both global and regional trade. Despite these difficulties, Amb. McCook highlighted CARICOM’s unity and resilience, emphasizing the community’s capacity to steer through turbulent economic waters of the 21st century.

The ambassador also pointed out that the decline of multilateral trade norms is no longer merely a concern for the future; it is already impacting investment flows, supply chains, and growth prospects worldwide. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), global foreign direct investment (FDI) plummeted by 11 percent in 2024—marking the second year of decline—with further reductions anticipated in 2026. Additionally, global trade expansion slowed sharply to below 1 percent in 2025, as geopolitical tensions and uncertainties continue to reshape supply chains.

Despite these challenges, CARICOM’s trade figures have demonstrated notable resilience, said the release. Between 2023 and 2024, the community’s exports increased by 32 percent, reaching approximately US$34.7 billion, with exports to the United States soaring by 86 percent. Nevertheless, recent data also reveal disparities among member states in how these shifts are impacting their economies.

Amb. McCook highlighted recent initiatives toward complete free movement of people by countries such as Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines as concrete steps toward greater regional integration.

He stressed that“Fundamentally, CARICOM integration should be seen as a strategic response to a shifting global order.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Amb. McCook proposed a comprehensive strategy centered on bolstering intra-regional trade, maintaining existing international partnerships while diversifying beyond traditional allies, and deepening economic integration.

A key component of this approach is the implementation of the CARICOM Industrial Policy and Strategy (CIPS), alongside the 25×25+5 food security initiative, which aims to reduce dependence on food imports and promote regional agricultural production.

For more details, you can read his full presentation here: Deeper CARICOM Integration: Key to Navigating a Fragmented Global Trade Environment