New 10% tariff on Belizean imports to the USA

In a significant move marking the most extensive tariff initiative by the U.S. in decades, President Donald Trump announced “kind” reciprocal tariffs affecting over 180 countries, including Belize, which will face a 10% tariff on its imports to the U.S. This announcement has major implications for global trade and could potentially reshape economic relationships between the U.S. and its trading partners.
According to Yahoo Finance, Belize is listed with a 10% tariff, along with the other 180 countries. This could impact its exports to the U.S., including agricultural products and tourism-related services. The tariff rate cited by President Trump was determined by calculating the U.S.’s trade deficit with each country and dividing it by that country’s exports to the U.S. The “reciprocal rate” was then derived by dividing this figure by two, as confirmed by the Office of the U.S. Trade.
In an executive order published on the White House website on April 2, 2025, President Trump explained the reason for the reciprocal tariffs saying, “I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, find that underlying conditions, including a lack of reciprocity in our bilateral trade relationships, disparate tariff rates and non-tariff barriers, and U.S. trading partners’ economic policies that suppress domestic wages and consumption, as indicated by large and persistent annual U.S. goods trade deficits, constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and economy of the United States. That threat has its source in whole or substantial part outside the United States in the domestic economic policies of key trading partners and structural imbalances in the global trading system. I hereby declare a national emergency with respect to this threat.”

The Government of Belize has responded swiftly to this news. In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade on April 3rd, officials noted that they are “currently and rapidly analyzing the information” and will engage in bilateral discussions with U.S. officials to safeguard Belize’s economic interests. They also plan to coordinate with CARICOM, the Caribbean Community, to ensure a unified regional response.
The imposition of a 10% tariff could lead to increased costs for Belizean exporters, potentially affecting their competitiveness in the U.S. market. However, the relatively low tariff rate compared to other countries may help mitigate some of the negative impacts. Belize’s economic resilience will depend on its ability to negotiate favorable terms with the U.S. and leverage regional partnerships to offset any potential losses.
As the global trade landscape continues to evolve, Belize’s proactive approach to addressing these tariffs could set a precedent for how smaller nations navigate complex international trade policies.