By Belize Live News Staff: High prices were at the centre of Tuesday’s US midterm elections, and voters made their frustration clear.
An AP Voter Poll found about two thirds of American voters believe Trump’s policies have made economic conditions worse, and a similar share say his tariffs have hurt the economy. Kansas and Iowa, two states hit hard by high diesel prices and the tariff war, both elected Democrats to the Senate.
Belizeans can relate. Fuel prices in the Caribbean were reported up 27.7% since the Strait of Hormuz crisis began, and food and electricity costs are climbing. The Statistical Institute of Belize reported consumer prices in September were up 4.7% compared to a year earlier, and government is now preparing cost of living relief measures to run from November to March.
The US economy also shapes Belize’s tourism. The Belize Tourism Board reported overnight arrivals fell 8.4% from June to September, with higher airfares, fuel costs and the US election among the reasons cited. With most of Belize’s visitors coming from the United States, how American families feel about their finances directly affects travel to Belize.
Washington’s direction also matters for regional security cooperation, as Belize holds early talks with the US on support under the Shield of the Americas initiative.
With Democrats now in control of the Senate, Trump faces diminished political power at home and abroad, and Belize will be watching closely to see whether that leads to any change on the war, tariffs or fuel prices.
