Amid rising concern, many are now asking: what exactly does the Caribbean export to the U.S.?
Guyana: Facing the harshest blow with a 38% tariff – the highest of any Caribbean country – Guyana’s exports to the U.S. reached $3.51 billion in 2023, a massive rise from just $255 million in 2018. Blindsided by the steep 38% tariffs imposed by the United States on its exports, the Government of Guyana is now seeking clarity and relief through diplomatic engagement with U.S. officials.
Key exports include: Crude Petroleum, Gold, Rice, Fish, Timber, Sugar, molasses, rum, Aluminum, ore and ships.
Barbados: In 2024, Barbados exported $102.46 million worth of goods to the U.S., including: Beverages, spirits, and vinegar ($22.5 million), mineral fuels and oils ($18.6 million), precious stones and metals ($12.4 million).
Haiti:With over 80% of its exports heading to the U.S., Haiti’s top exports are apparel-related -Knit T-shirts, $419M), Knit sweaters ($152M), Men’s suits and shirts (over $100M combined). Total exports to the U.S.: $844M
The Bahamas: In 2023, The Bahamas exported $3.01 billion, led by Refined petroleum ($1.35B), Passenger and cargo ships ($512M), Raw aluminum and crustaceans.
Jamaica: In January 2025 alone, U.S. imports from Jamaica included: aluminum ore ($5.54M), cassava, sauces, baked goods, and seasonings.
Sint Maarten: Exports to the U.S. valued at $2.74M in 2023 included scrap iron, recreational boats, jewelry, hard liquor and flavored wáter.
Turks and Caicos Islands: In 2023, the U.S. imported $5.51M in goods such as molluscs ($1.66M), crustaceans ($1.47M), semiconductor devices.
Antigua & Barbuda: Exported $17.2M in 2023, with highlights including paintings ($4.84M), and electrical transformers ($2.64M)
Saint Lucia: Exported $7.53M in 2023, with top items being processed fruits and nuts ($1.42M), scrap copper and hard liquor. However, exports have declined from $47.1M in 2018.
Saint Kitts and Nevis: With $16.4M in U.S. exports in 2023, main products were measuring instruments ($4.51M), electrical control boards and Transformers.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines: U.S. imports in 2024 reached $8.4M, with exports such as bananas, arrowroot, and coconuts, fish, seafood, textiles and rum.
Bermuda: Exported $5.9M to the U.S. in 2023, down from $13.8M in 2018. Top exports were hard liquor ($2.02M), scrap iron and paintings.
Cayman Islands: Exports totaled $13.3M in 2023, including broadcasting equipment ($5.24M), scrap iron and measuring instruments.
Suriname: In 2023, the U.S. imported $87.8M in goods, led by fish fillets ($24.8M), fresh and frozen non-fillet fish.
Guadeloupe & Martinique: Both French territories export primarily bananas, rum, and sugar, with Martinique also sending sailboats to the U.S.
Trinidad and Tobago: Exported $3.26B to the U.S. in 2023. Top products included crude petroleum ($1.15B), iron reductions ($593M) and petroleum gas ($539M).
Belize: Sent $86.2M in exports to the U.S. in 2023, including refined petroleum ($20.4M), molasses ($18.6M) and raw sugar ($11.1M).
These figures highlight the vital economic ties between the U.S. and the Caribbean. As the threat of higher tariffs looms, many regional leaders and businesses are closely watching developments and preparing to navigate the potential economic impact of Trump’s proposed trade measures.
