Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca Addresses Trade Concerns After China Sanctions

Beyond the diplomatic response, the sanctions against Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca have raised concerns about whether there could be any effect on trade between Belize and China. Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca has addressed the possible implications of China’s sanctions for trade between Belize and China. Beijing’s measures target Fonseca personally, including restrictions on Chinese individuals and organisations conducting business or cooperating with him. They do not announce a broader ban on trade with Belize. At today’s press conference, Fonseca spoke about the possible ramifications for commercial ties and what the decision could mean for Belizean businesses.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs: “First of all, there will be no, there is no evidence at all that there will be any impact on any of those issues, trade issues, economic issues. We have absolutely no information to suggest that that will be the case. This coercive measure that they have placed, is placed on me as an individual who is currently the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belize. So it has no impact on the country. It has no impact on Belizeans. I think as even they have said, it does not impact Belizeans for example traveling to China. It has no impact on that. And in terms of our response, you know, again we condemn these coercive actions. This external pressure on Belize to try to dictate and determine how we forge our foreign policy. We condemn that, but we don’t respond to that in kind with pressure. In Belize, we respond to these measures with calm and with principle. The principle has always been at the foundation of our foreign policy, and that will continue to be the case.”

Fonseca also reaffirmed Belize’s longstanding and very strong relationship with Taiwan. He pointed to cooperation across several sectors, including education, infrastructure, health and agriculture.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs: “So our relationship is very, very strong and I think you talk to Belizeans across the country, regular Belizeans across the country over the last 37 years they will tell you that they believe that this relationship with Taiwan has really been good for Belize. It has contributed to our national development. We have seen the tangible benefits in the areas of education, health, agriculture, our fight in terms of climate change, environment issues, housing. So across the board, in terms of our national development agenda, Taiwan has been a very faithful and good partner in Belize’s development. So we are grateful for that. And of course, on principle as well, Belize supports Taiwan’s right to self-determination. That is a principle fundamental to our own existence as a state. We’re grateful for the statement put out by the US State Department condemning this attempt to coerce Belize into taking a position in terms of our own foreign policy. So we certainly welcome that statement. We’re also engaged with our friends and partners in CARICOM, in SICA, the OAS. We’re briefing them on what has taken place and we’re looking forward to their support as well.”

The Belize government says China’s sanctions will not change Belize’s foreign policy or its commitment to Taiwan, while maintaining that Belize remains open to peaceful relations and dialogue.