US WOOING OF CARICOM CONTINUES WITH BLINKEN’S VISIT

THE decision of the United States Supreme Court to scrap the policy of affirmative action is likely to negatively affect Caribbean youths.

Over the generation in which affirmative action has been an official US policy, many students from the Caribbean and other places have studied in top American universities.

After meeting academic criteria, the students got an edge from affirmative action, a measure that seeks to end inequality in places of learning and work.

The conservative-learning US Supreme Court has brought that policy to a crashing halt.

Eventually, there is likely to be a muted backlash from the Caribbean, giving the US another matter to contend with in its relations with Caricom.

The Americans have lately been on an aggressive move to boost relations with countries of the Caribbean after being awakened to China’s extensive economic ties with these territories.

The Asian powerhouse has granted billions of dollars in loans to Caribbean and Latin American countries, expanded trade, and assisted in the development of deepwater ports and other prime infrastructural projects.

China’s well-funded Belt and Road Initiative is a popular source of funding, including for Jamaica’s US$730 million North-South Highway.

Harbours – such as the massive project in Antigua – have aroused fears that they would be used for military purposes as China expands its reach close to the US, Latin America, and Cuba.

It was recently revealed that China is expanding its spy station in Cuba, permitting eavesdropping on major US intelligence installations in Florida and Carolina.

In six Caricom countries alone, China has spent more than US $12 billion over the past decade and a half.

The country’s soft diplomacy is winning friends and influencing people.

US foreign policy experts have lately been warning about China establishing fortresses in the Caribbean similar to its military operations in Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea.

China is also aiming to prise away the remaining 12 countries that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, including St. Lucia, St-Kitts-Nevis, St. Vincent, and Grenada.

US Vice President Kamala Harris’ recent meeting with Caricom leaders in the Bahamas – during which she announced US $100 million in support – was one step in fortifying ties.

Now, Secretary of State Antony Blinken is taking time off from monitoring the world’s hot spots to break bread with the bosses of Caricom at the 50th-anniversary function.

Blinken may provide some support, thus appeasing regional leaders who are each facing domestic social and economic challenges.

Analysts are continuing to express skepticism about China’s “debt trap” and about the commitments that come along with loans, such as the employment of thousands of Chinese workers.

But the Chinese are expected to be unrelenting in their thrust toward the Caribbean.

In turn, the US is likely to provide increased attention and resources.