Prime Minister Gaston Browne has said Antigua and Barbuda will seek up to US$75,000 in financial support for each third-country national it may agree to receive under a proposed arrangement with the United States, citing the country's high cost of living as justification for demanding more than other participating nations have reportedly received.

According to Antigua News Room, Browne made the remarks in Parliament on Tuesday before tabling a resolution outlining the principles that will guide negotiations with Washington. He told lawmakers that the government has already communicated to U.S. officials that Antigua and Barbuda's economic circumstances set it apart from other countries involved in similar arrangements.

"My understanding is that they have given between US$25,000 to US$50,000 to some countries for each individual," Browne said. "I said to them Antigua and Barbuda is an expensive country, so we may want to consider about US$75,000 each."

The prime minister said the proposed figure is grounded in the real costs of housing and accommodating individuals on the island. He noted that while dilapidated properties may rent for around US$500 per month, housing that meets acceptable standards — comparable to what relocated individuals may have experienced in the United States — could cost at least US$2,000 monthly. Those realities, he said, must factor into any final agreement.

Browne clarified that the government is not asking Parliament to negotiate the financial specifics. Rather, it is seeking approval for a framework that would allow Cabinet to continue discussions with the United States while safeguarding the country's interests.

"The Cabinet must have the leverage to negotiate a sensible agreement," he said, adding that the executive would determine what constitutes reasonable financial support before formally presenting its position to U.S. officials.

Browne stressed that no agreement would be finalised unless funding arrangements are settled in advance and in writing, ensuring that the transfer of any third-country nationals does not impose an additional financial burden on Antigua and Barbuda.

The prime minister said the government remains willing to engage cooperatively with the United States but will continue to insist that any arrangement reflects the country's economic realities and protects its national interests.