Calm, United Responses to U.S threats Necessary

Our propensity for succumbing to rumours is already on display following moves by US President, Donald Trump that have implications for the stability of the western hemisphere, and indeed the whole world. Less than a month into his Presidency, he has begun to make good on election promises to impose a series of draconian actions, particularly mass deportation of undocumented migrants, threats to the sovereignty of several nations, and tariffs on imports into his country.

Almost immediately the social media ‘experts’ were in action with predictions, numbers and outcomes.

The government has stated that it is yet to receive formal information about the deportations but that St Vincent and the Grenadines is obliged to receive any of its nationals who are being deported in accordance with domestic and legal processes.

Circulation of information about numbers of likely deportees has had the effect of raising alarm about the negative consequences of any such deportation on a small society like ours. Other governments in the region have similar concerns as reported in regional media.

In addition, in SVG and other Caribbean states, there is mounting concern should restrictions be placed on remittances from Caribbean migrants in the USA. Not only are the aggregate of such remittances substantial, but in our collective case, millions of persons are dependent on such remittances for their survival and well being. Any negative economic actions can wreak havoc on Caribbean societies.

Clearly, the Caribbean, the western hemisphere including Canada and Panama that are facing specific threats to their sovereignty, must be very concerned about these proposed irrational plans which can have dire consequences for their citizens.

There are those among us who seem to thrive on glorifying negative news and are already fanning the flames of doom and gloom. But, whatever the scale of the threat, they do not represent the end of the world.

It is important though, that we respond in a calm and collective manner. Especially critical would be collating our responses on a collective level.

We have already seen knee jerk responses on the part of some nations, ending in embarrassing climb-downs.

The threats of the US President and his administration may be reckless, but they are real. Emotional responses or cheap attempts to embarrass incumbent governments, irrespective of their nature, will do us all no good. It is a time that we should all be banding together to protect our collective interests. This means beginning across the parliamentary divide at the national level, developing a collective CARICOM response, and then proceeding at a hemispheric level, through CELAC. Prime Minister, Gonsavles has already signalled that the issues are likely to be addressed at the Heads of Government meeting of the Caribbean Community later this month.

In addition, with Canada, China and now the European Union targeted, there is a basis for a global response. Whatever the illusions about the US because of its president’s actions might be, it cannot overcome the rest of the world, and we must bear this in mind. There is no need for panic; we however, need to face this threat together.