ST. JOHN'S, Antigua and Barbuda — Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that his administration will maintain the suspension of the Common External Tariff (CET) on selected basic goods indefinitely, extending a measure that has delivered approximately a 40 percent reduction on the price of certain essential items.
According to Antigua News Room, the announcement was made during a Get to Know Your Candidates interview, where the Prime Minister confirmed the Government's intention to continue the CET suspension beyond its original timeline. Browne stated the policy would continue "with or without the permission of CARICOM," adding that "our people's interest comes first and foremost."
The Government had previously approved a one-year suspension of the CET on essential food items following a decision by the 60th Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development. That measure established a zero rate of duty on selected staples from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, as part of a regional response to rising prices and inflationary pressures across the Caribbean.
Friday's announcement signals that Antigua and Barbuda will not allow the relief measure to expire while households continue to face the effects of elevated global food prices.
The ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party welcomed the announcement, describing it as evidence of the administration's commitment to placing citizens first. "This is decisive leadership at work," the ABLP stated. "At a time when families continue to manage rising prices, the Prime Minister has made it clear that his Government will continue to place the needs of the people above all else."
The ABLP further noted that the policy reflects the administration's broader record of deploying targeted measures to protect citizens, strengthen household purchasing power, and preserve economic stability.
