Jamaica must be nimble to deal with effects of Trump policies, says Hill

By Prince Moore    

 

Minister of Industry, Investment, and Commerce, Senator Aubyn Hill says Jamaica must be ready to deal with the possible effects of policies imposed by US President Donald Trump.

 

Mr. Trump has announced the America First Trade Policy Executive Order designed to prioritise American interests in international trade and tax.

 

He has also threatened tariffs on countries including China and Canada.  

 

Senator Hill says while Jamaica is not the target of any of the policies, the country could be indirectly affected.

 

It is why he says the country should take steps to speed up economic growth. 

 

"We're not the rule makers in that kind of war. We're going to have to be very nimble, very flexible, which is why I'm talking about getting ready to really expand your financial services business, look at our special economic zone area, where we become a transshipment area for the region and for the larger America. We have to change our economy, which we are in the process of doing. I think this will speed it up. If there are things that will affect us negatively, we're going to have to be swift and nimble to find ways to address it and to overcome it," he said. 

  

Senator Hill was speaking Thursday on Power Talk on Power 106.