Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has outlined that his administration is working assiduously to counter the anticipated economic fallout from the ongoing global trade war, spurred by new policy directions stemming from the former Trump administration in the United States. He emphasised that agriculture will be at the forefront of both national and regional strategies to ensure food security and economic resilience.
In a forward-looking statement, the Prime Minister revealed that his government is finalising plans to make an additional 100 acres of land available to local farmers. He noted that while a formal announcement is still pending, work on the initiative is already underway.
“We need to get into larger farming opportunities and ask our people to plant more. And presently, as I’m speaking, we are doing a 100-acre farm. I have not announced it as yet, but it’s actually going. A 100-acre farm to supplement the other farmers so that we can increase our output. That, too, will be significant,” Dr. Drew explained.
He called on citizens to not only support national agricultural efforts but also take initiative at the household level by cultivating backyard gardens. The goal, he said, is to reduce dependency on imports—particularly in light of rising costs associated with sourcing goods from China via the U.S.
While Dr. Drew reassured the public that the government would not censor or block goods and services entering the country, he urged consumers to make informed choices that consider both affordability and sustainability.
“There will be no censorship, no blockage of anything. Anything that comes from any other place, you will have it here. But in terms of the price… Good, if you can afford it, but if you cannot, there are alternatives,” the Prime Minister affirmed.
Recognising that increased agricultural output depends heavily on adequate water supply, Dr. Drew highlighted ongoing government investment in water infrastructure. This includes a desalination plant projected to be completed in July, along with additional drilling to expand water production.
The Prime Minister also spoke about regional export opportunities, referencing discussions with the Prime Minister of St. Martin, who expressed interest in importing eggs from St. Kitts. This effort aligns with the administration’s broader strategy of exploring similar regional partnerships.
Dr. Drew stressed that the country’s response to global economic challenges must be rooted in regional collaboration, particularly through organisations such as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). He urged citizens to resist simplistic narratives and support well-structured, long-term strategies to protect the nation’s economy.
On the international front, the Prime Minister confirmed he is scheduled to travel to Washington, D.C. for the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. During the visit, he will also engage in high-level discussions with U.S. officials concerning matters affecting St. Kitts and Nevis, the OECS, and the broader CARICOM region.
Dr. Drew acknowledged that the ongoing trade conflict is expected to drive up the cost of living in small island economies, particularly due to a new directive imposing a US $1.5 million fee on any Chinese-owned ship delivering goods to the region via the United States, in addition to a 10% tariff.
He concluded by stressing the need for the region to tackle these economic hurdles collectively.
CARICOM leaders, he noted, have remained unified in their call for citizens to adopt a frugal mindset while continuing to show the region’s signature resilience.
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