CARIFORUM–United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement

{{Use British English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox treaty
| name = CARIFORUM–United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement
| long_name = Economic Partnership Agreement between the CARIFORUM States and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| image = File:CARIFORUM–United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement.svg
| image_size = 340px
| alt =
| caption = {{Legend|#399e39|'''CARIFORUM States'''}}{{Legend|#f7931e|'''United Kingdom'''}}
| type = [[Free Trade Agreement]] and [[Economic integration|Economic Integration Agreement]]
| context = [[Free trade agreements of the United Kingdom|Trade continuity agreement]] between the United Kingdom and [[CARIFORUM|CARIFORUM states]]
| date_drafted =
| date_signed = {{dts|22 March 2019}}
| location_signed =[[Castries]], Saint Lucia
| date_sealed =
| date_effective = {{dts|1 January 2021}}
| condition_effective =
| amendment =
| date_expiration =
| date_expiry =
| provisional_application =
| mediators =
| negotiators =
* {{flagicon image|Flag of Guyana.svg}} Alexis Downes-Amsterdam
* {{flagicon image|Flag of the United Kingdom.svg}} Paul Whittingham
| original_signatories =
* {{flag|Barbados}}
* {{flag|Belize}}
* {{flag|Dominica}}
* {{flag|Grenada}}
* {{flag|Guyana}}
* {{flag|Jamaica}}
* {{flag|Saint Kitts and Nevis}}
* {{flag|Saint Lucia}}
* {{flag|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}}
* {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| signatories =
| parties =
* {{flag|Antigua and Barbuda}}
* {{flag|Bahamas}}
* {{flag|Barbados}}
* {{flag|Belize}}
* {{flag|Dominica}}
* {{flag|Dominican Republic}}
* {{flag|Grenada}}
* {{flag|Guyana}}
* {{flag|Haiti}}
* {{flag|Jamaica}}
* {{flag|Saint Kitts and Nevis}}
* {{flag|Saint Lucia}}
* {{flag|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}}
* {{flag|Suriname}}
* {{flag|Trinidad and Tobago}}
* {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| ratifiers =
| depositor = [[Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office]]
| depositories =
| citations =
| languages = {{hlist|[[English language|English]]|[[French language|French]]|[[Spanish language|Spanish]]}}
| wikisource =
| wikisource1 =
| wikisource2 =
| wikisource3 =
| wikisource4 =
| wikisource5 =
| footnotes =
}}
The '''Caribbean Forum''' ('''CARIFORUM''')'''–United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement''' is a plurilateral [[free trade agreement]] between the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Antigua and Barbuda]], [[Bahamas]], [[Barbados]], [[Belize]], [[Dominica]], [[Dominican Republic]], [[Grenada]], [[Guyana]], [[Haiti]], [[Jamaica]], [[Saint Kitts and Nevis]], [[Saint Lucia]], [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]], [[Suriname]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]], designed to promote [[trade]], [[investment]], and sustainable [[Development aid|development]].{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/cariforum-uk-economic-partnership-agreement|title=CARIFORUM-UK economic partnership agreement|date=1 January 2022|website=GOV.UK}} It largely replicates the existing [[European Union]]–CARIFORUM States [[Economic Partnership Agreements|Economic Partnership Agreement]] framework, maintaining preferential trade access, with the [[CARIFORUM]]. The agreement is part of the UK's strategy to maintain and enhance trade relationships with developing countries following its departure from the European Union.{{cite press release|author1=Department for International Trade|title=UK signs trade continuity agreement with Caribbean countries|url=https:///government/news/uk-signs-trade-continuity-agreement-with-caribbean-countries|last2=Hollingbery|first2=George|author2-link=George Hollingbery|date=22 March 2019|website=[[gov.uk|GOV.UK]]|access-date=11 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718171938/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-signs-trade-continuity-agreement-with-caribbean-countries|archive-date=18 July 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Partington|first=Richard|url= https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/mar/22/uk-secures-post-brexit-trade-deal-with-group-of-caribbean-countries|website=[[The Guardian]]|title=UK secures post-Brexit trade deal with group of Caribbean countries|date=22 March 2019|access-date=11 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829163029/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/mar/22/uk-secures-post-brexit-trade-deal-with-group-of-caribbean-countries|archive-date=29 August 2023|url-status=live}}

==Backgrounds==
From 29 December 2008 until 30 December 2020, trade between the CARIFORUM states and the UK was governed by the [[Economic Partnership Agreements|CARIFORUM–European Union Economic Partnership Agreement]], while the United Kingdom was a [[United Kingdom membership of the European Union|member]] of the [[European Union]].{{cite web|title=EU - CARIFORUM States|website=[[World Trade Organization]]|url=https://rtais.wto.org/UI/PublicShowMemberRTAIDCard.aspx?rtaid=605|access-date=5 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831133156/https://rtais.wto.org/UI/PublicShowMemberRTAIDCard.aspx?rtaid=605|archive-date=31 August 2024|url-status=live}}

Following [[Brexit]], the UK sought to replicate and adapt existing EU trade agreements with third countries to ensure continuity in trade. The UK and the [[CARIFORUM]] states signed the CARIFORUM–United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement on 22 March 2019. The signing ceremony for the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement took place on 22 March 2019, in Castries, Saint Lucia. At this event, the United Kingdom and nine CARIFORUM countries formally signed the agreement. The ceremony marked a significant step in ensuring continuity of trade relations between the UK and the [[Caribbean]] following Brexit and was widely welcomed by businesses and private sector associations in the region.{{cite web|last=Nicholls|first=Alicia|title=UK-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement: What does it all mean?|url=https://caribbeantradelaw.com/2019/04/06/uk-cariforum-economic-partnership-agreement-what-does-it-all-mean/|date=6 June 2019|website=Caribbean Trade Law and Development|access-date=24 June 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923100644/https://caribbeantradelaw.com/2019/04/06/uk-cariforum-economic-partnership-agreement-what-does-it-all-mean/|archive-date=23 September 2020|url-status=live}}

== Economic impact ==
The CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has significant economic implications for both the UK and CARIFORUM States. By granting immediate duty-free and quota-free access for CARIFORUM exports to the UK, the EPA helps preserve and potentially expand market opportunities for Caribbean producers, supporting export-led growth and regional integration. In return, CARIFORUM States commit to a gradual liberalization of tariffs on UK goods, though sensitive sectors are protected to safeguard local industries and government revenues. The agreement also covers trade in services, intellectual property, and government procurement, providing a comprehensive framework for economic cooperation.

==Members==
The agreement covers the following countries:
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" |Country
! scope="col" |relations overview
! scope="col" |{{Abbreviation|Ref.|References}}
|-
! scope="row" |{{flag|Antigua and Barbuda}}
| [[Antigua and Barbuda–United Kingdom relations]]
[[Foreign relations of Antigua and Barbuda]]
| {{Cite web|url=https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/markets/antigua-and-barbuda/|title=Exporting from the UK to Antigua and Barbuda | business.gov.uk|website=Business Growth Service}}
|-
! scope="row" |{{flag|Commonwealth of the Bahamas}}
| [[Bahamas–United Kingdom relations]]
[[Foreign relations of the Bahamas]]
| {{Cite web|url=https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/markets/bahamas/|title=Exporting from the UK to the Bahamas | business.gov.uk|website=Business Growth Service}}
|-
! scope="row" |{{flag|Barbados}}
| [[Barbados–United Kingdom relations]]
[[Foreign relations of Barbados]]
| [https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/markets/barbados/]
|-
! scope="row" |{{flag|Belize}}
| [[Belize–United Kingdom relations]]
[[Foreign relations of Belize]]
| {{Cite web|url=https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/markets/belize/|title=Exporting from the UK to Belize | business.gov.uk|website=Business Growth Service}}
|-
! scope="row" |{{flag|Dominica}}
| [[Dominica–United Kingdom relations]]
[[Foreign relations of Dominica]]
| {{Cite web|url=https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/markets/dominica/|title=Exporting from the UK to Dominica | business.gov.uk|website=Business Growth Service}}
|-
! scope="row" |{{flag|Dominican Republic}}
| [[Dominican Republic–United Kingdom relations]]
[[Foreign relations of the Dominican Republic]]
| {{Cite web|url=https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/markets/dominican-republic/|title=Exporting from the UK to Dominican Republic | business.gov.uk|website=Business Growth Service}}
|-
! scope="row" |{{flag|Grenada}}
| [[Grenada–United Kingdom relations]]
[[Foreign relations of Grenada]]
| {{Cite web|url=https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/markets/grenada/|title=Exporting from the UK to Grenada | business.gov.uk|website=Business Growth Service}}
|-
! scope="row" |{{flag|Guyana}}
| [[Guyana–United Kingdom relations]]
[[Foreign relations of Guyana]]
| {{Cite web|url=https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/markets/guyana/|title=Exporting from the UK to Guyana | business.gov.uk|website=Business Growth Service}}
|-
! scope="row" |{{flag|Haiti}}
| [[Haiti–United Kingdom relations]]
[[Foreign relations of Haiti]]
| {{Cite web|url=https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/markets/haiti/ |title=Exporting from the UK to Haiti | business.gov.uk|website=Business Growth Service}}
|-
! scope="row" |{{flag|Jamaica}}
| [[Jamaica–United Kingdom relations]]
[[Foreign relations of Jamaica]]
| {{Cite web|url=https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/markets/jamaica/|title=Exporting from the UK to Jamaica | business.gov.uk|website=Business Growth Service}}
|-
! scope="row" |{{flag|Saint Kitts and Nevis}}
| [[Saint Kitts and Nevis–United Kingdom relations]]
[[Foreign relations of Saint Kitts and Nevis]]
| {{Cite web|url=https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/markets/st-kitts-and-nevis/|title=Exporting from the UK to St Kitts and Nevis | business.gov.uk|website=Business Growth Service}}
|-
! scope="row" |{{flag|Saint Lucia}}
| [[Saint Lucia–United Kingdom relations]]
[[Foreign relations of Saint Lucia]]
| {{Cite web|url=https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/markets/st-lucia/|title=Exporting to St Lucia: UK trade and market guide | business.gov.uk|website=Business Growth Service}}
|-
! scope="row" |{{flag|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}}
| [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines–United Kingdom relations]]
[[Foreign relations of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]
| {{Cite web|url=https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/markets/st-vincent-and-grenadines/|title=Exporting guide to St. Vincent and the Grenadines - business.gov.uk|website=Business Growth Service}}
|-
! scope="row" |{{flag|Suriname}}
| [[Suriname–United Kingdom relations]]
[[Foreign relations of Suriname]]
| {{Cite web|url=https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/markets/suriname/|title=Exporting from the UK to Suriname | business.gov.uk|website=Business Growth Service}}
|-
! scope="row" |{{flag|Trinidad and Tobago}}
| [[Trinidad and Tobago–United Kingdom relations]]
[[Foreign relations of Trinidad and Tobago]]
| {{Cite web|url=https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/markets/trinidad-and-tobago/|title=Exporting from the UK to Trinidad And Tobago | business.gov.uk|website=Business Growth Service}}
|-
! scope="row" |{{flag|United Kingdom}}
| [[Foreign relations of the United Kingdom]]
| {{Cite web|url=https://caribbeantradelaw.com/2019/04/06/uk-cariforum-economic-partnership-agreement-what-does-it-all-mean/|title=UK-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement: What does it all mean?|date=6 April 2019}}
|}

Suriname signed the agreement on 4 March 2021 and the agreement was provisionally applied to cover the country the following day.{{cite web|author1=Department for International Trade|last2=Jayawardena|first2=Ranil|date=5 March 2021|title=Suriname signs CARIFORUM-UK EPA|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/suriname-signs-cariforum-uk-epa |website=GOV.UK|access-date=11 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718174034/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/suriname-signs-cariforum-uk-epa|archive-date=18 July 2023|url-status=live}} Haiti is also eligible to join the CARIFORUM–United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement if it signs the agreement and brings it into effect.{{cite web|author=Department for International Trade|date=8 August 2019|url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/summary-of-the-cariforum-uk-economic-partnership-agreement-epa|access-date=29 December 2020|website=GOV.UK|title=Trade with the CARIFORUM States from 1 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405110458/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/summary-of-the-cariforum-uk-economic-partnership-agreement-epa|archive-date=5 April 2023|url-status=live}}

== See also ==
* [[Cuba–United Kingdom relations]]
* EU–[[Economic Partnership Agreements]]
* [[Free trade agreements of the United Kingdom]]
* [[Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{free trade agreements}}
{{free trade agreements of the United Kingdom}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:CARIFORUM-United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement}}
[[Category:2019 in Antigua and Barbuda]]
[[Category:2019 in the Bahamas]]
[[Category:2019 in Barbados]]
[[Category:2019 in Belize]]
[[Category:2019 in Dominica]]
[[Category:2019 in the Dominican Republic]]
[[Category:2019 in Grenada]]
[[Category:2019 in Guyana]]
[[Category:2019 in Jamaica]]
[[Category:2019 in Saint Kitts and Nevis]]
[[Category:2019 in Saint Lucia]]
[[Category:2019 in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]
[[Category:2019 in Suriname]]
[[Category:2019 in Trinidad and Tobago]]
[[Category:2019 in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:2021 in Antigua and Barbuda]]
[[Category:2021 in the Bahamas]]
[[Category:2021 in Barbados]]
[[Category:2021 in Belize]]
[[Category:2021 in Dominica]]
[[Category:2021 in the Dominican Republic]]
[[Category:2021 in Grenada]]
[[Category:2021 in Guyana]]
[[Category:2021 in Jamaica]]
[[Category:2021 in Saint Kitts and Nevis]]
[[Category:2021 in Saint Lucia]]
[[Category:2021 in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]
[[Category:2021 in Suriname]]
[[Category:2021 in Trinidad and Tobago]]
[[Category:2021 in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Economy of the Bahamas]]
[[Category:Economy of Barbados]]
[[Category:Economy of Belize]]
[[Category:Economy of Dominica]]
[[Category:Economy of the Dominican Republic]]
[[Category:Economy of Grenada]]
[[Category:Economy of Guyana]]
[[Category:Economy of Jamaica]]
[[Category:Economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis]]
[[Category:Economy of Saint Lucia]]
[[Category:Economy of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]
[[Category:Economy of Suriname]]
[[Category:Economy of Trinidad and Tobago]]
[[Category:Economy of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Free trade agreements]]
[[Category:Free trade agreements of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Treaties concluded in 2019]]
[[Category:Treaties entered into force in 2021]]
[[Category:Treaties entered into force in 2022]]
[[Category:Treaties of Antigua and Barbuda]]
[[Category:Treaties of the Bahamas]]
[[Category:Treaties of Barbados]]
[[Category:Treaties of Belize]]
[[Category:Treaties of Dominica]]
[[Category:Treaties of the Dominican Republic]]
[[Category:Treaties of Grenada]]
[[Category:Treaties of Guyana]]
[[Category:Treaties of Jamaica]]
[[Category:Treaties of Saint Kitts and Nevis]]
[[Category:Treaties of Saint Lucia]]
[[Category:Treaties of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]
[[Category:Treaties of Suriname]]
[[Category:Treaties of Trinidad and Tobago]]
[[Category:Treaties of the United Kingdom]]