By Gwurld4026 
Understanding Fiji’s Stance on US Trade Tariffs
Fiji has expressed strong objections to the 32% tariff recently imposed by the United States under President Donald Trump’s new trade policy. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Manoa Kamikamica, criticized the tariff as “disproportionate” and “unfair,” emphasizing that such a high rate could severely impact Fiji’s key export industries, including bottled water, kava, fish, sugar confectionery, and wood artifacts.
The U.S. administration justifies these tariffs by alleging that Fiji imposes a 63% tariff on American goods, a claim that Fiji disputes. Kamikamica refuted this assertion, stating that the average import duty on U.S. goods in Fiji is less than 2%.
In response, Fiji’s government has initiated discussions with U.S. officials to address these concerns and seek a reduction in the tariff rate. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka acknowledged the challenges posed by the tariffs, remarking that Fiji lacks the means to engage in a trade war with the U.S. and will need to “weather the storm and roll with the punches.”
Fiji’s government is actively seeking diplomatic and trade solutions to mitigate the impact of these tariffs on its economy and exporters.
Leave a Reply