Ghana has gold, cocoa, oil and natural gas, and Trinidad and Tobago is understandably exploring closer economic relations with that country. But before we start looking thousands of miles across the Atlantic for food and other supplies, perhaps we should ask a simple question: WHAT DOES IT ACTUALLY COST US TO GET THOSE GOODS HERE?
Freight, insurance, shipping time, spoilage, foreign exchange and supply chain reliability all matter. We are an island nation already struggling with foreign exchange and the high cost of imported food. If we can grow it here, why are we looking overseas?
We are telling our own people to plant yam and increase local food production, while simultaneously looking at distant markets. There is nothing wrong with trade with Ghana, but food security should begin with what we can produce here and with our nearest reliable markets.
And then there is the bigger strategic question.
Trinidad and Tobago is actively trying to remain in the good graces of Venezuela because of the possibility of importing Venezuelan natural gas. That may have economic value, but WHERE IS THE WIDER LATIN AMERICAN STRATEGY?
Where are the serious delegations to Colombia, Brazil, Guyana, Panama, Mexico and other Latin American economies? Where is the effort to build multiple relationships for food, energy, manufacturing, technology, investment and trade?
A small country should never put all its eggs in one basket.
Ghana can be a valuable partner. Venezuela can be important to our energy future. But neither should become a substitute for a broader foreign trade strategy.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley (right), during a visit to a farmer’s
market during the agri-Investment forum held in Georgetown, Guyana
The question is not whether we should trade with Ghana. The question is whether T&T is thinking strategically enough about the next ten, twenty and thirty years.
We cannot keep reacting to shortages and crises. We need food security at home, diversified suppliers abroad and multiple strategic partnerships throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.
Our foreign policy should not simply be about finding the next shipment or the next barrel of gas.
IT SHOULD BE ABOUT ENSURING THAT TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO HAS OPTIONS
Gordon Laughlin,
Westmoorings
