PHILIPSBURG:--- As a Member of Parliament, I, Darryl York, am gravely concerned about the U.S. trade war’s impact on St. Maarten. Since early 2025, tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China have disrupted global supply chains, with regional inflation projected to climb 5 to 10%. For our island, which depends heavily on imports and tourism, this is a crisis in the making. Yet, the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation, and Telecommunication (TEATT), the honorable Grisha Heliger-Marten has offered no public statements, no press briefings, and no updates to Parliament. This silence isn’t just baffling: it’s a dereliction of duty that exposes our people to an economic storm.
St. Maarten’s economy is on thin ice. We import nearly everything, including food, fuel, and consumer goods, and tariffs will send prices soaring. Our tourism sector, the lifeblood of our island, faces a potential collapse if U.S. visitors, squeezed by their own economic woes, skip their vacations here. Rising fuel costs could further ripple through, inflating electricity bills, transportation fares, and the price of basic necessities. These aren’t hypotheticals; they’re looming realities. Instead, the Minister of TEATT’s inaction suggests that the government should hope that the problem solves itself: a strategy as effective as wishing away a hurricane.
While we languish in silence, our Caribbean neighbors are stepping up. Antigua and Barbuda are pushing for a united regional response through CARICOM, urging collective action to shield their economies. The Virgin Islands are reportedly exploring new trade ties, possibly with the Dominican Republic, to reduce reliance on U.S. and Chinese markets. St. Vincent and the Grenadines are bolstering agricultural production to enhance food security as import costs rise. CARICOM, led by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, engages U.S. officials, promotes trade with Europe, Africa, and Latin America, and encourages local consumption to strengthen regional economies. These efforts show foresight and resolve, making St. Maarten’s inertia glaring. These nations are building bunkers; we’re still debating whether to buy a helmet.
As MPs, we are tasked with safeguarding our island’s future, but we’re being sidelined, again. Weeks ago, I, alongside MPs Irion and Doran, requested a meeting with the TEATT Minister to ask one simple question: What is the plan? Chairlady Sarah Wescot-Williams has yet to schedule this meeting. Instead, we get vague articles and a fisheries council proposal. Without access to the government’s strategy, if one even exists, we cannot assess its merits, propose improvements, or contribute to solutions. This isn’t just a snub; it’s a breakdown of democratic governance. Effective leadership requires collaboration, not secrecy, and right now, we’re being asked to navigate a looming crisis blindfolded.
The people of St. Maarten deserve a government that acts with transparency, urgency, and proactivity. We need a clear plan to diversify trade, support local businesses, protect our tourism sector, and cushion our residents from price shocks. Minister of TEATT’s silence is not a strategy; it’s a surrender. I call on the Minister to engage with Parliament and share a comprehensive response to this crisis. This is not a time for complacency and reactive measures: it’s a time for action.
Should the Minister of TEATT, Grisha Heliger-Marten, find herself without a concrete plan, perhaps it's time for other Council of Ministers to step forward. Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs has already proposed the establishment of an Emergency Task Force. If leadership is lacking in one area, it's imperative that others rise to the occasion to ensure our nation's economic stability.
As I continue pushing for clarity and a proactive approach, I'll leave you with a thought worth considering:
"If silence speaks louder than words, what exactly is our government's silence telling us, and at what cost?"
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Justice acknowledges the concerns of justice workers and understands the frustration caused by the delay in finalizing national decrees (LBs). While the process has taken longer than anticipated, Minister of Justice Nathalie M. Tackling remains committed to getting it right, ensuring that placements are accurate, legally sound, and transparent, leaving no room for unnecessary objections once completed.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Another unlicensed firearm and a very realistic look-alike are off the community in the hands of the Police. The two weapons were turned in on the second day of the “Stop, Drop, and GO” Firearm Amnesty Programme. 
