Trade · Developing · 1 min read · Published 3 Nov 2026 ·
CPSO Seeks Permanent Caribbean Exemptions From US Maritime Fees
By the Luk It Hyah newsdesk · Sources · Reporting disclaimer
The Short
The CARICOM Private Sector Organisation is seeking lasting Caribbean exemptions from US maritime fees, IzzSo reports. A US notice proposes extending the existing suspension through 9 January 2027; that notice is a proposal, not a final decision.
The Full Story
The United States suspended its Section 301 maritime measures from 10 November 2025 through 9 November 2026, according to the US Trade Representative’s current proposal notice.
Sources: IzzSo, 3 Nov, 1:45 p.m. Trinidad time ↗
The notice, scheduled for publication on 26 October, proposes continuing the suspension from 10 November 2026 through 9 January 2027 while negotiations with China continue. It describes a proposed change and a public-comment process, rather than announcing a completed extension.
On Tuesday 3 November, IzzSo reported that the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation and its US Business Council had submitted comments supporting the extension and seeking confirmation and permanence for Caribbean exemptions. The organisation warns of freight-cost and supply disruption if protection lapses. That warning is its policy argument, not a measured increase in Trinidad and Tobago shipping charges. The joint submission itself was not obtained for this report.
Sources: IzzSo, 3 Nov, 1:45 p.m. Trinidad time ↗ · USTR proposed suspension notice, 26 Oct 2026 ↗
Sources
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