UWI hosts Vice-Chancellor’s Forum on Trump’s policy shift and its impact on the Caribbean

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is pleased to announce an upcoming Vice-Chancellor Forum that will examine President Trump’s Great Policy Shift and its impact on the Caribbean. Titled “President Trump’s Great Policy Shift: How Does the Caribbean Respond?” the virtual forum is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (AST/Eastern Caribbean) and 10:00 a.m. (EST/Jamaica), and will be streamed via UWItv at www.uwitv.global.

Organised by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor in collaboration with the University Office of Academic-Industry Partnerships and Planning, the forum will feature an expert panel that will analyse the implications of Trump’s policies on U.S. trade, tourism, and financial services, as well as the effects of U.S. immigration policies on Caribbean communities. The discussion will also encompass military ties, security issues such as the drug trade, and the Caribbean’s response to growing partnerships with China and Russia.

The distinguished panel of experts includes:

– Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Economist and Public Policy Analyst 

– Professor W. Andy Knight, Professor of International Relations at the University of Alberta 

– Ambassador Wayne McCook, Assistant Secretary General for CARICOM Single Market Trade 

They will examine the economic, security, and diplomatic implications of the Trump administration’s actions on our region, and importantly, offer recommendations for a proactive and pragmatic Caribbean response.

Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, and Professor Justin Robinson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic-Industry Partnerships and Planning will deliver opening remarks, setting the context for the discussion, which will be chaired and moderated by Ms. Sandrea Maynard, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Affairs at The UWI.

Professor Justin Robinson noted, “The Caribbean has always been adept at adjusting to global shifts. We’ve had to dance with colonial rulers, tango with economic downturns, and now, it seems, learn a new two-step with U.S. policies that could affect everything from trade to security to our beloved diasporic communities in New York, Miami, and beyond.” He added, “the panellists are among the finest scholars, diplomats, and thinkers who will help us navigate the waters of Trump-era policies.”