PM Browne: Caribbean Not Taking Sides in U.S.-China Rivalry, Seeks Cooperation for Development

“For us, this fight between the U.S. and China is not our concern. All we want is cooperation in the interest of our survivability, so that our people can thrive and have good living standards,” said Prime Minister Gaston Browne, emphasizing that Antigua and Barbuda will continue to engage with both global powers based on economic and developmental needs rather than political alignments.

Browne made the remarks in response to growing geopolitical tensions between the United States and China, stating that Caribbean nations should not be forced to choose sides. Instead, he noted that China’s presence in the region complements rather than competes with U.S. economic influence.

China has become a key player in Caribbean infrastructure development, providing grants, concessional loans, and investments in critical sectors. In Antigua and Barbuda, China has supported projects such as:

• The Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, built for the 2007 Cricket World Cup.
• The expansion of the V.C. Bird International Airport.
• A booby alley project
• Planned investments in education and renewable energy initiatives.

Browne defended China’s economic contributions, arguing that they fill crucial development gaps that traditional U.S. financial aid and trade agreements do not always address.

“China is a very important country to the Caribbean region in terms of supplementing our growth and development through grants and concessionary loans—funding that we do not get from the United States,” he stated.

Despite China’s growing involvement, Browne reiterated that the United States remains the Caribbean’s dominant economic partner, particularly in trade, remittances, and tourism.

“Most of our economies are open economies, and most of the goods we consume are imported from the United States,” he explained. “For all the discussions about economic diversification, we are still inextricably linked to the U.S.”

Browne also dismissed suggestions that the region could easily transition away from U.S. economic dependency, pointing out that the U.S. dollar remains the dominant trading currency, and any attempt at creating a unified Caribbean currency would still require conversion to U.S. dollars for global trade.

Browne made it clear that Antigua and Barbuda will not be drawn into the power struggle between Washington and Beijing. Instead, his administration will continue engaging with both nations based on mutual respect and economic interests.

“We are not uncooperative with the United States, and we will always engage with them in mutual respect. At the same time, China’s presence in the Caribbean is beneficial, and we see no reason to reject their support,” he added.

Browne also called for a more respectful approach from Washington, urging the U.S. to engage with Caribbean nations as equal partners rather than imposing unilateral decisions or sanctions.

As global tensions escalate, Antigua and Barbuda continues to navigate its diplomatic relationships carefully, ensuring that economic cooperation with China does not disrupt its longstanding ties with the U.S..

With both superpowers playing critical roles in the region’s development, Browne’s remarks signal that Caribbean nations will prioritize their national interests while maintaining a balanced approach to foreign relations.

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