PROMINENT businessman William Mahfood has called for the government to deny incoming goods from Trinidad in response to the rejection of Jamaicans into Trinidad. Mahfood suggested that if Jamaicans are not allowed free travel or to gain employment, then Trinidadian goods should also be rejected.

But Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, AJ Nicholson has shot down the suggestion to bar imports. He noted that if Jamaica was to take this route, it would be a direct breach of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which outlines that Trinidadian good are of Caricom origin and should not face barriers. Therefore, the goods should be entitled to duty-free treatment on entry into countries that are a part of Caricom.

He also noted that, instead of the ban, Jamaica should try to find another route to address the ‘unjustified denial of entry of its citizens’. As such, Jamaica can simply take the matter to the Caribbean Court of Justice.

Do you think that Jamaica should stop supporting Trinidadian goods as a result of the ‘unjustified denial of entry of its citizens’ or take to the matter to the CCJ?

Tiffany Bent

I think that if Trinidad is denying Jamaicans entry into their country then we should stop importing some of their goods. Every Caricom nation is entitled to hassle-free travel into and within the jurisdiction of any member state. Going to the CCJ can be avoided. Trinidad needs to start respecting Jamaicans more, and a trade embargo may cause them to do just that

Damani McNish

There is always tension with Trinidad and Tobago when it comes to how Jamaicans carry on over there. But, on the other hand, a treaty was signed and Trinidad and Tobago is not living up to their obligations of it. I fully support Mr Mahfood in challenging the Government to do something, but in the right way, so as not to cause diplomatic problems or tension between the two countries.

Kashiri Peters

I wouldn’t agree with Mahfood in this case. Breaching the treaty would cause more problems as it is already outlined these goods are of Caricom origin. To resort to treating them the exact same way they treat Jamaicans would be childish. Mr Nicholson is right in his approach. I’m not saying to turn the other cheek, but find a different way to address the problem. ‘An eye for an eye’ is certainly not the route to take.

Kadean Palmer

I agree that the matter should be addressed by the CCJ. However, there should be a reduction in the level of imports from Trinidad, because there is much disparity between exports from Jamaica to Trinidad and vice versa. Trinidad has long since refused to accept our goods, which is a breach to the treaty. Now, they are refusing our citizens, and I think Caricom should intervene. The relationship between Jamaica and Trinidad is always one-sided. Therefore, I think Jamaica should reduce imports from Trinidad until the matter is taken and addressed by the CCJ.

Jheanelle Gunzelle

I agree with the minister. It seems juvenile and would not help the situation to block the goods. There are other ways we can go about addressing the Trinidadian wrongs. Two wrongs won’t make a right, and if we bar their products then they can bar ours and the whole situation would escalate into something bigger than it has to be. Let’s not fight fire with fire.

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