We, in The Bahamas, have found ourselves in a most curious position: miraculously untouched by the shipping fees and trade tariffs unleashed President Donald J. Trump. While much of the globe clutched its pearls over aluminum, steel, and everything in between, we strolled by, duty-free and drama-free.

Let us not mistake this for luck. In Trumpian politics, there is no such thing as a free exemption. It begs the question: who kissed the ring – or some other less regal region – to earn us this economic mercy?

Trump’s economic policies have been more like economic tantrums; like a bull in a China shop – often literally. His America First doctrine translated into America Gets Paid and the Rest Get Played. Between 2018 and 2020, tariffs rained down on traditional allies and adversaries alike. Europe? Taxed. China? Slammed. Mexico and Canada? Threatened until they blinked.

He invoked Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, claiming national security to justify tariffs on steel and aluminum. Then came the grand idea of slapping 10% across the board on all imports and a jaw-dropping 60% on Chinese goods during his 2024 campaign trail.

Here in The Bahamas, we have a simple strategy: don’t make much, don’t get taxed. We export modestly – seafood, salt, rum – and import nearly everything. Our trade relationship with the U.S. leans heavily one way, which might explain why we didn’t trigger the ire of the tariff gods.

Besides, we are the United States’ favorite tropical partner: sun, sand, and strategic cooperation. We let the U.S. use our waters for drug interdiction and migration patrols, and we’ve done a bang-up job pretending to enjoy financial regulation crackdowns from FATF and OECD under U.S. encouragement. They like us! They really like us!

But let’s not get too flattered. Trump does not do charity. So again, we ask: what’s in it for him?

Did our government quietly lobby their way into exemption? Are there cables, memos, or golf games we are unaware of? Did someone charm a trade official, or worse, appeal to Trump’s ego with promises of beachfront naming rights or kiss his ***?

We hope no official had to practice the ancient art of Strategic Bootlicking, but if they did, let us build them a statue at Rawson Square – bronze, bent over slightly.

If we were to look at it honestly, what does POTUS Trump get? ,a stable offshore banking partner.?

A tourism haven for his voter base (wealthy Americans with questionable sun protection habits).

A country that doesn’t complain too loudly?

Could our exemption simply be a gift to Florida’s expat backyard? Was it a convenient non-fight in an otherwise chaotic global tantrum?

So, yes, we should be grateful. But cautiously so. We are economically exposed. If tariffs ever do come, we’d be the ones with the $12 peanut butter and $80 plywood sheets.

Let this be a wake-up call: for us to diversify our trade partnerships; deepen ties within CARICOM. and build capacity at home.

Because next time, we might not be so “lucky”.

Finally, so yes, Mr. Trump, thank you for sparing us. But if it was not for diplomacy or shared values, then we can’t help but ask:

What did we give you?

END