Important Caribbean Legislation Passes United States Senate; Moves On To The President For Signature

WASHINGTON, District of Columbia (Friday, October 2, 2020 — Legislation that extends the U.S.–Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) through 2030, passed the Senate, last night, by unanimous consent.

The legislation (H.R. 991) passed in the lower House on September 23, and will come into force, when signed by President Donald Trump.

The CBTPA is a preferential trade agreement that provides for duty and quota-free access for products manufactured in designated beneficiary Caribbean Basin region countries.  Eligible CBTPA countries include Saint Lucia, Barbados, Belize, Curacao, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The Saint Lucia Embassy in Washington, DC, led the CARICOM effort to get the legislation passed, since taking on the role of Chair of the Caribbean Caucus of Ambassadors in July 2019.

Saint Lucia also continues to lead Caucus’ sub-committee on U.S. Congressional Engagement.