Bahamas seeks US clarification on export tariffs impact

The Bahamian government is seeking "clarifications" from the United States after Washington imposed a new 12.5% tariff on Bahamian exports. The U.S. move, ordered by President Donald Trump under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, targets economies that have not effectively banned imports produced with forced labor.

The Bahamas government stated it is analyzing the potential impact of the tariff on its exporters. In a statement, the executive branch highlighted its value for the "long-standing economic relationship" with the U.S. and pledged to work "constructively to reach a fair solution that protects Bahamian businesses and maintains the strong trade relationship between the two countries."

The U.S. Trade Representative's office, represented by Jamieson Greer, indicated the measure addresses both human rights concerns and unfair trade practices. Greer stated that "decades of moral suasion have not eradicated forced labor from global supply chains."

According to the Bahamas National Statistical Institute, exports to the U.S. reached $110.9 million in the third quarter of 2025, an increase from $84.3 million in the same period of 2024. Machinery, transport equipment, manufactured goods, and food and live animals constituted over half of the country's exports.