Guyanese President Irfaan Ali says his government is in talks with the United States to find a solution to the 38% tariff that was imposed on the country. 

US President Donald Trump announced the tariff as part of his April 2, “Liberation Day” speech which saw the imposition of a minimum 10% import tax on all imports to the US.

The US has put the tariff on pause for 90 days.

President Ali told Guyanese media that the country has a strong friendship with the US, and both sides are working together to solve the issue to come to a peaceful and fair agreement.

Guyana was the only Caribbean country to be slapped with such a high tax bill. Other Caribbean countries including Jamaica were hit with only a 10% tariff.

Speaking on Taking Stock with Kalilah Reynolds, Certified Public Accountant Sainte Billings said the move may have been a strategic one.

“This may be a political move… as a reaction to the shift in the economy for Guyana.” She explained that as Guyana becomes more important in the oil world, the US may want to remind them who their main partners should be.

She added that there’s also talk that Guyana is strengthening its ties with China, which may be part of the issue. She explained that the US could be using this tariff to keep Guyana close and warn them about building stronger ties with other countries.

For now, the US and Guyana are using the 90-day pause to talk and try to fix the problem. Both sides say they want what’s best for their countries and Guyana’s leaders are hopeful that they will find a solution that works for everyone.