Meetings Held To Discuss US Shipping Concerns
During the visit to Washington DC this week, the Premier David Burt and Minister Jason Hayward met with senior US State Department Officials to “discuss ongoing concerns regarding potential port fees to be introduced by the US Government that would have a severely negative impact on Bermuda.”
A Government spokesperson said, “During the Bermuda Delegations visit to Washington, DC, this week, the Premier, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, and Minister of Economy and Labour, the Hon. Jason Hayward, JP, MP, met with senior US State Department Officials to discuss ongoing concerns regarding potential port fees to be introduced by the US Government that would have a severely negative impact on Bermuda.
“In a critical meeting with Mark Fleming, Director of the Office of Nordic, Baltic, and Arctic Security Affairs in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, the Premier raised the potential impact of the U.S. Trade Representative’s [USTR] proposed action, which could affect shipping vessels built in China, including the MV Oleander Bermuda’s primary supply vessel.
Premier David Burt and Minister Jason Hayward met with Director Mark Fleming, from the Office of Northern European, Baltic, and Arctic Security Affairs [EUR/NBA] and Chris DeVito and the UK and Bermuda Desk Officer, from the Office of Northern European, Baltic, and Arctic Security Affairs [EUR/NBA].
“Premier Burt expressed Bermuda’s support for the broader goals of fairer maritime practices but cautioned that, without exemptions or carve-outs, the proposed action would have severe consequences for the island.”
The Premier said, “This is not a theoretical concern. It would significantly impact shipping costs, increasing the cost of all goods imported into Bermuda.”
A Government spokesperson added, “As Bermuda currently sources the vast majority of its goods from the US, the Premier and Minister shared that if the Oleander were impacted, the cost per container could rise by as much as $10,000, which would have a devastating effect on consumers and businesses.
“Premier Burt stressed that the issue would impact not only Bermudians but also US citizens living in Bermuda and American suppliers doing business with the island. He reiterated Bermuda’s commitment to its longstanding and valued partnership with the United States and requested that the island be granted special consideration under any final policy.
“It should be stressed that Director Fleming acknowledged Bermuda’s concerns and confirmed that discussions with relevant USTR officials are ongoing. He encouraged continued engagement and collaboration with other impacted jurisdictions to raise the issue collectively.”
Following the meeting, Premier Burt said, “This was a productive and necessary conversation in the interest of all Bermudians. Direct engagement with U.S. officials allows us to raise Bermuda’s concerns at the highest level and ensure decision-makers understand the real-world impact of proposed policy changes. This matter was discussed in an emergency CARICOM Heads of Government meeting convened virtually last Friday, March 21st, and I know that regional leaders have raised this issue with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in meetings this week.”
The Premier concluded, “The Government looks forward to continued dialogue on this issue and will continue to advocate for Bermuda and work with U.S. officials to avoid sudden and unaffordable increases in food prices and the overall cost of living. While we engage in this dialogue, we are also exploring contingencies should the proposed fee be approved to take effect.”
A Government spokesperson added, “The Premier Burt and Minister Hayward returned to Bermuda this evening [March 27].”
DID YOU KNOW IF THINK WHEN I AM SLEEPING WE WOULD BE BETTER OFF .
We have been requested to plant more of our own food on a crop rotation basis ,you need a plough as two geese ,they dont sleep nights .
We need to learn from our seniors how cook and to preserve food properly .
Ask any senior on that one , and every thing else !
I retired from my last job the minister told me about brain drain as if i did not know that already , was that political move or some thing else ?
That teatment was a brain drain !
So you throw away all of your gold !
Not fair yesterday or not fair to day !
We work for the pure enjoyment of it yet they pay you be miserable.
Our seniors can teach our young ones virtulall every thing.
And yet our seniors are pushed too one side.
Do you not know how very talented our seniors are.
You spare the rod of correction , let it hanging on a nail on the wall as a reminder not to spoil the child .
What about field with no fetrtalisation has no value, not do~able yet , can keep plowing the weeds gone to flower under . and i am not a farmer .
What is that dark stuff at the old city dump used for ?
Got to recycle all that very soon.
The Day will come when we will plant 50 % of all of our golf courses other than grass. which gets fertilized.
and the food is not . Very funny !
What about field irrigation dry food will not grow .
What is the minister of Agg & Fishies doing. ?
Mr. Minister we need to have reserves in food even it it is in tin cans for a lease one year .
Empty seats on visitor incoming planes can carry food in containers .
Whatever the US plans to do will happen no matter what! Discussions or no discussions…will have little to no impact on their decision. Bermuda is but a speck in the middle of the Atlantic.
If the costs goes up. Then everyone who accepts their unethical increases as jas been reported. Your increases would n should go towards BERMUDA. But no…all you can see is dollars…Trump and Musk. Free trips, hotel stays, designer clothing and shoes..you know how you roll not all. Thinking only of yourselves while children are going hungry, sleeping in horrendous conditions, Seniors going from grocer to grocer seeing who has what cheaper to enable them to eat. Bermuda….we have to make a stand…no violence..no loud talk OR do not pay the increases in belco, land tax and other. Think about it. We remain quiet TZHEY WILL THINK WE ARE IN AGREEMENT. HEY!!!! PLP, OBA and all the rest… Bermuda is going to stand tall!!!!