Elizabeth Morgan | Commonwealth Trade Ministers’ Meeting – promoting partnership and diversification

THE THIRD Commonwealth Trade Ministers’ Meeting was held in Windhoek, Namibia, June 19-20. This is the first Commonwealth Trade Ministers’ Meeting to be held in Africa. The first two were held in London, England. This meeting is being addressed taking account of The Gleaner’s editorial of March 23 titled ‘A Commonwealth Umbrella’ raising the possibility of increasing trade within the Commonwealth group, especially with the challenges posed by the US Trump Administration, i.e., unilaterally imposing tariffs, threats of annexation, withdrawal from multilateral bodies, reduction of overseas development assistance, threat of sanctions for perceived violations of human rights, and now use of force. The Gleaner’s editorial suggested the possibility of trade diversification – increasing trade – and building partnerships within the Commonwealth.

SIGNS OF UNITY AND PARTNERSHIP

Looking for signs of unity and partnership in bodies of the global south has not been very encouraging so far. Not much seemed to happen at the Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in April. We look to see what is likely to happen under Colombia’s chairmanship of CELAC. The Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), now marking its 50th anniversary, seems to need reform and strengthening.

Within CARICOM, the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) met June 10-11. Reports following the COTED meeting, from the meeting of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), June 17-18 in St Vincent and the Grenadines, raised a few eyebrows as it seemed that a proposal was being floated to have the OECS opt out of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). This was seen in an IWitness News report out of St Vincent and the Grenadines dated June 18 and titled, ‘Gonsalves says OECS might have to consider exiting the CSME’. This leaves one to wonder about unity in CARICOM.

So, Commonwealth Trade Ministers met and what happened? A country such as Canada, recent host of the G7, would have had an opportunity to have bilateral discussions with other Commonwealth countries attending that Summit – Australia, Britain, India, and South Africa.

OUTCOME FROM COMMONWEALTH TRADE MEETING

It is reported that Commonwealth trade ministers and senior officials came together to discuss critical trade policy issues, strengthening intra-Commonwealth trade and investment, and fostering resilience in the global trading system. They highlighted digital trade and AI-driven trade facilitation, green trade and circular economies, and critical minerals and the sustainable energy transition. The group took account of the challenges facing the global economy. The Commonwealth Heads of Government had given a mandate to unlock the full potential of Commonwealth trade and investment and they were acting on this.

The trade meeting renewed their commitment to increasing intra-Commonwealth trade to US$2 trillion by 2030. To focus on trade and investment, the inaugural Commonwealth Business Summit was held along with the trade ministers’ meeting.

The Commonwealth Secretary General, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, in her closing remarks stated that “We must stand firm and united in resisting any effort that risk undermining our progress and prosperity. The Commonwealth has shown how we can work together to ensure that all our people benefit fully from international trade.”

The ministers endorsed the following initiatives: operationalising the plan of the Working Group on Trade and Investment; launching the Commonwealth Investment Network; making progress on the Commonwealth Model Law on Digital Trade; greater cooperation and public-private sector cooperation in energy transition, food security and the future of critical minerals; reaffirmed support for micro small and medium-sized enterprises, youth and women in business, and to improve digital readiness in vulnerable economies.

They also issued a statement giving support to the multilateral trading system which is to be presented to the 14th Ministerial Conference on the World Trade Organization to be held in Cameroon in March 2026.

With the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to be held in Antigua and Barbuda in 2026, the trade ministers called on leaders to build on the Windhoek momentum, deepening integration, protecting the global trading system and ensuring that trade remains a driver of prosperity and resilience.

INCREASING TRADE WITH AFRICAN COUNTRIES

This Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting should have provided an opportunity for CARICOM ministers to meet with counterparts from African countries which are members of the Commonwealth including Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. It is not clear whether this opportunity was taken. In fact, there is little reporting on CARICOM/Commonwealth Caribbean participation in this Commonwealth trade meeting and the business forum. A report from Belize informs that their Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Marconi Leal, was in attendance. It noted Belize’s commitment to leveraging Commonwealth partnerships to unlock investments in key sectors, strengthen climate resilience, and enable inclusive economic growth.

COMMITMENT TO MARKET DIVERSIFICATION

It needs to be seen whether there is genuine commitment and the capability among countries to diversify markets and to build and strengthen partnerships with other countries at this particularly difficult time. Perhaps, some countries are being cautious; still trying to come to terms with what is happening in the USA and its impact at the national and global levels.

Elizabeth Morgan is a specialist in international trade policy and international politics. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com