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‘Govt. will not bend rules to give US advantage’
–Jagdeo clarifies Pres. Ali’s preferential treatment remark
Kaieteur News- Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has clarified that President Irfaan Ali’s recent call for “preferential treatment” for the United States was not a suggestion that Guyana would shift its economic or taxation policy, but instead a heartfelt expression of gratitude to a long-time ally.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
Last month, during US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Guyana, President Ali vowed to stand by America and labelled the country as a great friend of Guyana. President Ali had stated, “The US is a great friend of ours. The US has made it very clear that they are ready to stand by us in our development, in our economic expansion, in our security and in our defence. And I will say very boldly that such friends must have some different and preferential treatment, because a friend, who will defend me when I need a friend to defend me, must be a friend that enjoys some special place in our heart and in our country, that will be the case.”
When asked at his last press conference about President Ali’s comments, Jagdeo clarified and noted that the head-of-state’s comment must be taken in context. He said, “He was saying, basically, people who stand by your side should be treated specially.”
To this end, Jagdeo noted that he does not view President Ali’s remarks as meaning that Guyana’s trade regime would, in contrary to international trade obligations, give the US an advantage in the Guyanese market. “I don’t think our trade regime would evolve contrary to the CET, or the Treaty of Chaguaramas, or our commitment to WTO (World Trade Organisation) to treat goods coming from one country preferentially versus another, I don’t think we are going to say our taxation system would evolve so that an American company would pay lower taxes than a Guyanese company or a Chinese company or a Canadian company or European company,” Jagdeo said.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali (right) and United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Jagdeo said the president’s words were simply an acknowledgment of the United States’ consistent support, especially during key moments in Guyana’s recent history. “We have in this country to be extremely grateful to the United States for two things, and I think he was expressing that gratitude publicly,” he noted. The Vice President pointed to America’s role during the 2020 elections and their strong stance against Venezuela’s threats to Guyana’s territory as examples of this support.
President Ali had made the preferential treatment statement in response to questions about possible economic impacts stemming from United States President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Chinese-built ships.
Rubio had contended that the US’ aim is to reduce dependency on Chinese shipbuilding. He, however, had acknowledged the potential economic consequences for Guyana and the region.
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