THE Caribbean Community and Common Market (Caricom) was founded more than 50 years ago in 1973 with just four Caribbean countries, whilst the European Union (EU) was established in 1993 and had 12 original members one year later. Although being formed 20 years later with four times the original number of Caricom countries, the EU is a very powerful politicalbut moreso economicpowerhouse with a very strong trade position, a very large single market and a clearly growing international presence, despite the loss of the United Kingdom.

What has Caricom substantially achieved since 1973? It seems that all these Caricom leaders do is meet and greet, have a good time, but return to their parochialism after five decades in existence! There is a very heavy dependence upon the US market for selling its goods and services, as well as purchasing raw materials. Now that the US has imposed tariffs on Caricom and Caribbean countries, there is great gnashing of teeth and lots of crocodile tearsbut no internal look at themselves, knowing that as a group, there will be greater influence rather than being a single entity battling tariffs.

The imposition of tariffs signals the value of being positive and can be a blessing in disguise if Caricom and the Caribbean can become an entity as the EU has done. Why must each believe, most erroneously, that it has the power and ability to negotiate on its own? What prevents Caricom and the Caribbean, which has far fewer languages than the 24 of the EU, from becoming one and having a Caribbean Council, Parliament and Commission? The EU has done it, despite some internal challenges, so why cant Caricom or the Caribbean? After all, there is no need to reinvent the wheel.

It seems that businesses and other commentators are focusing on small issues rather than the big picture. Although important, as a people, the focus should be on winning the war, not the battle regarding unity, not only for Caricom countries but the entire Caribbean. The late Dr Eric Williams made a very prophetic comment in 1961 that one from ten leaves nought when Jamaica decided to leave the West Indies Federation.

Since then, it seems that even Caricom cannot unite, regardless of how many meetings they have had since its formation. Caricom, with 20 member states, has made extremely minimal inroads into really becoming an entity that speaks with one voice. If the European countries can do it with 27 members, why cant the Caribbean islands do it?

Undoubtedly, there will be need to purchase resources from the US, but this should be very minimal. The 25 by 2025 food initiative should be 36 by 2026or even higher, if each country can capitalise on its individual resources and focus on trade within the Caribbean community as a major initiative, thereby reducing the high demands upon importation from the US.

Commentators, including calypsonians, have lamented that the Caribbean islands do not understand the meaning of integration, and Caribbean unity remains on the shelf of rejected or forgotten great ideas.

The late prime minister Patrick Manning initiated the beginnings of integration with his proposal of having boats patrolling the Caribbean for security. Yet, annually, Caribbean leaders meet to discuss integration, but the closest they have come to it is the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME), which has not even been accepted by all Caricom countries.

Rather than bellyaching over tariffs, why cant Caricom and the Caribbean proffer actionable plans and ideas to decrease dependence upon US goods and services? Businesses, especially, must put forward definite plans for resuscitating the economies of the Caribbean rather than awaiting the government to help them prosper.

Governments must refocus on the Caribbean and how its people will be re-engaged to combat the ills of the US tariffs. They must also determine how best Caribbean unity can be achieved, so that there can be greater integration, easier movement of Caribbean people throughout the region, and so that businesses can solidify and expand their markets.

Additionally, each country has assets, which can redound to the benefit of all Caribbean islands. Greater integration and understanding of the benefits that can accrue to each country will quite likely lead to one airline that services the Caribbeanfrom greater focus on goods and services that benefits each, to easier movement of people to enhance productivity, and the greater the likelihood of the Caribbean speaking with one voice. This would certainly obviate the need for the tit-for-tat comments being made regarding member states.

Caricom has a population of just over 18 million and is about 24 times less than the EU, whilst the Caribbean has a population of approximately 45 million and is approximately ten times less than the EU, so why cant even Caricom integrate? Now that the US tariffs affect Caribbean countries, what prevents these countries from uniting to combat the ills of these tariffs in the short term and becoming a global powerhouse in the longer term?

There is a symbiotic relationship between each country, so which government will rise above narrow politics and seek the interests of Caricom and the Caribbean?

Harjoon Heeralal

Carapichaima