VZCZCXRO1254
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHSP #0297/01 1891741
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 071741Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9266
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT OF SPAIN 000297 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR, WHA/EPSC, INR/IAA AND EEB/TPP/BTA 
PASS USTR FOR E.EISSENSTAT AND K.SHIGETOMI 
NSC FOR V. ALVARADO 
USDOC/ITA/LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN - G.WORD, M.BROOKS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD PREL ECON TD
SUBJECT: GSP GRADUATION SETS OFF TRADE TALK DISCUSSIONS AT ANNUAL 
CARICOM HEADS MEETING 
 
REF: (A) PORT OF SPAIN 295 (B) PORT OF SPAIN 289 
(C) PORT OF SPAIN 288 (D) STATE 69093(NOTAL) 
(E) STATE 69707 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY:  News of Trinidad and Tobago's GSP graduation led to 
a trade discussion among CARICOM leaders gathered in Antigua in early 
July, according to Foreign Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon.  The leaders' 
consensus was the region needs to negotiate now a more "predictable" 
trade relationship with the U.S. and cannot wait until CBI/CBTPA is 
about to expire in 2010.  Admitting her Ministry is not the trade lead, 
and being somewhat unclear, the FM implied T&T might be willing to 
negotiate alone with the USG on such issues.  This is the fourth time 
in recent weeks T&T officials have raised trade concerns with us. 
Within existing political and manpower constraints, Post recommends 
USTR and State consider responding to these importunings by reengaging 
T&T on trade matters.  END SUMMARY. 
 
A GSP Surprise 
-------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Foreign Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon told DCM July 5 that 
Trinidad's GSP graduation led to a lengthy trade conversation among 
CARICOM leaders who just finished their annual meeting in Antigua. 
Speaking shortly after her return to T&T, and on the margins of the 
Venezuelan National Day reception, the FM explained that the graduation 
had come as a surprise. 
 
A More Predictable Trade Relationship 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) The FM continued that she did have time to talk to PM Manning 
on the way to Antigua, based on her conversation with the Ambassador, 
but granted that neither he nor other CARICOM leaders fully grasped at 
the time of their meeting what the graduation meant.  That 
understanding came later to Manning, upon further research and 
briefings by other Cabinet members.  Nonetheless, the assembled 
Caribbean leaders took the graduation news as a wake-up call that "a 
more predictable" trade relationship with the U.S. must be negotiated. 
The region should not be subject to unilateral U.S. actions and this 
can only be avoided through a negotiated trade pact, she stated. 
 
Bilaterally or Multilaterally? 
------------------------------ 
 
¶4. (SBU) Asked if such a pact, if feasible, would be negotiated with 
CARICOM as a group or bilaterally with T&T, the FM hesitated and did 
not clearly respond.  She did add, however, that only Trinidad and one 
other CARICOM country really are in a position to negotiate with the 
U.S. so that even if talks were formally multilateral (i.e., with 
CARICOM) they would really be almost bilateral in nature. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) The DCM then noted that negotiating with CARICOM has been 
slow and not overly productive, witness the TIFA.  The FM was not aware 
of the TIFA and granted that she was really straying into the Trade 
Ministry's area, but implied her comments flowed from the PM's words at 
the Antigua meetings.  In closing, and emphasizing he was speaking 
personally, the DCM cautioned that the U.S. electoral calendar and 
change of Administrations might make any in-depth trade discussions 
over the coming months difficult to pursue.  In response, the FM said 
she was aware of that, but with CBI expiring in 2010, T&T and CARICOM 
"could not afford to waste any time." 
 
Comment:  Time to Engage, if Feasible 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) COMMENT:  While admitting that hers is not the guiding Cabinet 
trade voice, the FM's comments represent at least the fourth time in 
recent weeks that T&T officials have raised this topic (two of these 
conversations -- refs c and d -- directly involved the PM).  Thinking 
here does not appear fully congealed around what this might mean (other 
than further unilateral trade concessions such as on packaging of 
goods) or whether T&T would go alone into talks or seek a CARICOM 
format (especially now that a T&T national reportedly has been named to 
head the CRNM). 
 
¶7. (SBU) Recognizing the potential political and human resource 
constraints involved in possibly beginning trade talks bilaterally or 
multilaterally, Post suggests that Washington agencies consider 
engaging the GOTT on trade issues in an exploratory and fact-finding 
mode.  Doing so would send a signal of our responsiveness, clarify GOTT 
intentions, gauge how ready the country/region is for in-depth talks at 
a later date (the regional back-and-forth on the EPA suggests some 
 
PORT OF SP 00000297  002 OF 002 
 
 
caution here), and instill a greater sense of reality and understanding 
over what is and is not feasible.  This conversation, which initially 
need not be at a high level and could touch on GSP (ref e) and broader 
matters, could be held in Washington or Port of Spain [or by DVC, 
though a face-to-face meeting is preferable].  Post would welcome USG 
visitors if that decision were made. 
 
AUSTIN