Caricom calls for urgent renewal of US Trade Programmes

Caricom Heads of Government have urged the United States Administration and Congress to immediately renew the Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Enhancement for Haitian Prosperity (HOPE) and the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Acts.

In a statement issued from the Caricom Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana, on Tuesday, regional leaders reaffirmed their strong support for the HOPE/HELP initiatives, which grant duty-free access to the US market for selected Haitian textile and apparel products.

The statement noted that the preferential trade framework has been essential to Haiti’s economic and social development, providing employment, investment, and stronger trade linkages between Haitian and American businesses.

Caricom heads warned that the expiration of these arrangements would have severe implications for business continuity and livelihoods in Haiti, further aggravating the country’s fragile social and economic conditions.

They emphasised that renewed US support is critical at a time when Haiti faces deepening instability and pressing humanitarian challenges.

The Conference of Heads of Government reiterated its call for urgent legislative action in Washington to restore the HOPE/HELP programmes, describing them as vital tools for sustaining Haiti’s recovery and promoting shared economic prosperity across the region.