U.S. President Donald Trump has officially set a 15% tariff on imports from Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, under a new executive order titled “Further Modifying the Reciprocal Tariff Rates”, released Thursday. The announcement was part of a sweeping update to the U.S. tariff schedule affecting 69 trading partners worldwide.
The revised rate marks a significant decrease from the previously proposed 38% tariff on Guyanese goods—an increase that had triggered diplomatic concern and economic anxiety across the Caribbean. While the new rate brings some relief, regional leaders and trade officials say the impact is still burdensome.
In a statement on Friday, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) welcomed the reduction to 15%, noting it as a result of months of active diplomacy. However, the group emphasized that many of its executive members had hoped the U.S. would settle on a 10% tariff instead.
“The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) acknowledges the recent executive orders issued by the United States Government to reduce the scheduled reciprocal tariff rate on Guyanese exports from 38% to 15%,” the association said. “We sincerely appreciate the Guyana government’s active engagement and representation throughout the negotiation process.”
Guyana’s Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo also responded Thursday, stating that negotiations with the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office are ongoing. “It was adjusted down by the U.S. from 38 percent down to 15 percent and we’re happy with that adjustment,” he told Demerara Waves. “However, we are still engaged in a bilateral negotiation that we hope, when concluded, will bring it down further to 10 percent.”
Earlier this year, President Trump had raised tariffs on Guyana’s exports to 38% as part of a broader trade policy reset. In response to backlash, the U.S. temporarily reduced the rate to 10% for many countries, but Guyana remained excluded from that initial adjustment and continued facing the higher rate until this latest revision.
The GMSA said it stands fully behind ongoing diplomatic efforts and supports any further engagement aimed at reducing the tariff burden on Guyanese manufacturers and exporters. The 15% rate remains a concern for producers who say the added cost risks undermining competitiveness in the U.S. market.
Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago has also been placed under the same 15% tariff bracket, though officials there have not yet issued a public response.
