Prime Minister Gaston Browne has dismissed suggestions that Antigua and Barbuda, along with other Caribbean nations, should “rebalance” their relationships between the United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Speaking at a ceremony marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, Browne said Antigua and Barbuda has already achieved the right balance in its international partnerships.
“There are some who argue erroneously that countries in the Caribbean that support China need to rebalance. But I ask, what is there to rebalance?” Browne stated.
He described the United States as “the most important country” to the Caribbean in terms of tourism and trade, while praising China for its consistent support through grants, concessional loans, and infrastructure development.
“The United States is our largest source market for visitors and goods, and it plays an indispensable role in our development,” Browne said. “At the same time, China has been a benevolent partner, helping us with critical projects in housing, education, and ports. There is no conflict here — both relationships serve our national interests.”
The Prime Minister stressed that Antigua and Barbuda will not allow any outside power to dictate its foreign policy, reiterating his administration’s defense of sovereignty.
“We don’t expect China to tell us that we need to rebalance our relationship with the United States. And similarly, we don’t expect the United States to dictate to us as a small sovereign country,” he said.
Browne also pointed to recent collaboration with Washington on the Alfa Nero matter, emphasizing that Antigua acted in its own national interest. “China did not interfere, nor has it ever interfered, in our relations with the United States. That’s what mutual respect looks like,” he added.
Despite vast differences in size and population, Browne said China has consistently treated Antigua and Barbuda as an equal partner. He recalled discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping as an example of the mutual respect underpinning their relationship.
“China, a country of 1.4 billion people, sits with us, a nation of 100,000, at the same table. That respect is not only meaningful — it is a model of how global relations should work,” Browne said.
