Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre on Monday defended his administration’s approach to the United States government’s decision to impose reciprocal tariffs on import partners such as Saint Lucia. The Prime Minister described the stance as “neutral and measured,” and said recent developments have validated his decision to act with caution rather than make premature declarations.
Pierre’s comments came following his return from Washington, D.C., where he led an Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) delegation to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. During a press conference, he addressed public criticism over what some viewed as a delayed or passive response to the tariffs.
“When the tariff issue came out and I was questioned, I said that we had formed a subcommittee of Cabinet to look into it,” Pierre explained. “As usual, I was criticised for not doing anything, but I ended up being right. Talk is cheap. You must understand the reality of the situation.”
The Prime Minister said that decisions made by the U.S. government reflect the will of its electorate and emphasized the need for smaller nations to navigate such matters with strategic diplomacy.
“The U.S. voted for President Donald Trump and his policies. Who am I to say to the American people that they must not support the policies of their president?” Pierre asked. “As small islands, we must align ourselves in a way that our interests can be protected.”
Pierre pointed out that the U.S. has since paused the new tariffs on China for 90 days and reached an agreement with the United Kingdom, calling the global trade environment “fluid” and affirming that his approach allowed Saint Lucia to better evaluate its options.
In addition to addressing the international situation, the Prime Minister highlighted a series of domestic measures aimed at easing the rising cost of living for Saint Lucians. Among the initiatives are new policies stemming from his recent budget presentation.
Pierre announced that his government will be zero-rating additional food items, a move expected to reduce the cost of selected goods by 12.5 percent. He said the government has been in discussions with the Chamber of Commerce to identify the products that will be affected.
The Prime Minister also stated that the service charge applied to certain goods in the basket of essential items will soon be removed. This policy, he said, should come into effect within the next two weeks.
Fuel prices were also addressed. Pierre noted that consumers are already benefitting from a reduction in gasoline prices, now paying $16 per gallon. A further review of the pricing structure is expected to take place on May 24.
He added that from July 1, prices on specific supermarket goods are expected to drop further as more items are set to be exempt from value-added tax.
“In terms of the cost of living, the government has taken some decisive steps to cause reductions in the price of certain goods,” Pierre said. “These are not just announcements; they are steps already in motion to provide real relief to our people.”
The Prime Minister concluded by assuring the public that his administration remains committed to implementing policies that support economic resilience while navigating global uncertainties with care.
