Jamaica’s Foreign Policy Outlook

Jamaica's network of strong bilateral relations with foreign governments has been instrumental in generating a comprehensive disaster response to accelerate the nation's recovery from Hurricane Melissa, according to Fitch, BMI. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has acknowledged broad support from CARICOM member states and regional institutions for their 'immediate engagement', alongside numerous bilateral allies such as the US, Canada, Venezuela, the EU and Mainland China. Therefore, while the country faces a lengthy post-Melissa recovery trajectory, its extensive network of bilateral partnerships and active engagement with multilateral institutions will provide crucial support during the country's recovery.
In the years ahead, Jamaica will maintain its focus on maintaining its strong bilateral partnership with the US, reflecting the significant economic interdependence between the two nations across tourism, remittances and trade sectors. During a January 2026 call, PM Holness and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed their commitment to sustained bilateral cooperation, addressing several key areas, including continued hurricane recovery assistance and US support for these efforts. Achievements in domestic crime reduction, the country's pivotal contribution to anti-gang operations in Haiti and the recent improvement of the US travel advisory from Level 3 to Level 2 (lower is better) represent a significant boost for the storm-affected tourism industry.
Despite recent US pressure to discontinue the country’s long-standing medical cooperation program with Cuba - an arrangement the government is now reassessing amid objections from the Donald Trump administration - strong ties with Washington remain a cornerstone priority for the Holness administration.
Still, with Prime Minister Holness having served as chair of CARICOM in 2025, Jamaica will continue to prioritise strong relationships and cooperation with its Caribbean neighbours. Furthermore, the country has joined numerous regional cooperation agreements, including the Alliance for Security, Justice and Development with 18 other Latin American markets promoted by the Inter-American Development Bank to increase regional cooperation against transnational crime.
Additionally, Jamaica signed an agreement with Barbados, Belize, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica in July 2025 to allow open movement of all Caribbean nationals by October 1, 2025, under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, a development strategy to promote increased regional economic cooperation and integration. The country also enjoys trade benefits from numerous regional CARICOM bilateral trade agreements, including with Venezuela, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Cuba.
Mainland China will also remain an important relationship for Jamaica. Jamaica joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative in 2019 and has received inbound investment from China for infrastructure projects, including the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project. Additionally, despite US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing concern about China’s alleged ‘predatory practices’ during a joint press conference with PM Holness in Kingston in March 2025, Jamaica continues to court Chinese investment.
A memorandum of understanding was signed in August 2025 with a Chinese firm to conduct feasibility studies to expand Jamaica’s North-South Highway. While Jamaica’s relationship with China was not featured heavily in the 2025 election season, historic underinvestment in infrastructure and the negative consequences for growth are politically salient issues in Jamaica. We anticipate that Jamaica’s government will continue to accept investment opportunities from China, despite the muted objections and handwringing from the US.

(Source: BMI, a Fitch Solutions Company)