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THURSDAY AUGUST 7, 2025
Garnet Silk Honored Posthumously with the OD More than 30 years after his untimely death, reggae icon Garnet Silk is finally receiving one of Jamaica’s highest national accolades. The singer—born Garnet Damion Smith—is among the 2025 National Honours and Awards recipients and will posthumously receive the Order of Distinction (OD) for his contribution to Jamaican music and culture. continues on B2 – Garnet Silk
US tariffs take effect — most Caribbean nations hit with 10% A sweeping set of U.S. tariffs on imported goods from over 90 countries has taken effect as of August 7, with most Caribbean nations facing a flat 10% rate. However, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana have been hit with a steeper 15% tariff under the new trade directive issued by President Donald Trump. The tariffs mean companies importing foreign goods into the United States will be required to pay new taxes to the government. Experts warn these costs are likely to be passed on to American consumers through higher prices at the register. While most Caribbean countries fall under the 10% bracket, the updated tariff schedule outlines a wide range of rates globally: Brazil is set at 10%, India at 25%, Switzerland at 39%, Syria at 41%, and Laos and Myanmar face one
of the highest rates—40%. Canada’s 35% rate took effect earlier on August 1, though exemptions under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) cover many goods. Some countries are receiving temporary exemptions or delays. Tariffs on goods from China won’t begin until August 12, pending the outcome of ongoing trade talks. Mexico, initially set to face a hike to 35%, has been granted a 90-day grace period during which current rates will remain in place. The administration says the tariffs are aimed at protecting American manufacturing and rebalancing trade relationships, but critics argue they could trigger retaliation and drive up costs during a period of global economic uncertainty. U.S. President Donald Trump has
officially set a 15% tariff on imports from Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, under a new executive order titled “Further Modifying the Reciprocal Tariff Rates”, released Thursday. The announcement was part of a sweeping update to the U.S. tariff schedule affecting 69 trading partners worldwide. The revised rate marks a significant decrease from the previously proposed 38% tariff on Guyanese goods—an increase that had triggered diplomatic concern and economic anxiety across the Caribbean. While the new rate brings some relief, regional leaders and trade officials say the impact is still burdensome. In a statement on Friday, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) welcomed the reduction to 15%,
noting it as a result of months of active diplomacy. However, the group emphasized that many of its executive members had hoped the U.S. would settle on a 10% tariff instead. Guyana’s Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo responded, stating that negotiations with the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office are ongoing. “It was adjusted down by the U.S. from 38 percent down to 15 percent and we’re happy with that adjustment,” he told Demerara Waves. “However, we are still engaged in a bilateral negotiation that we hope, when concluded, will bring it down further to 10 percent.”
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W H AT ’ S I N S I D E
NEWSMAKER Sizzla honored with Key to the City of Lauderhill a3
CARIBBEAN Trinidad Attorney General launches probe into Jack Warner extradition case a4
HEALTH & WELLNESS August is National Wellness Month: A reminder to take care of you A8
Traders & Investors Check out the Jamaica Stock Exchange Weekly Bulletin A6