Antigua and Barbuda Requests Sanctions Against the United States
In a classic case of a mouse attempting to roar, the Caribbean territory of Antigua has decided to begin sanctions against the United States. The Antiguan government claims that the United States is not complying with the World Trade Organization’s decision on internet gambling.
Despite the World Trade Organization ruling in 2007, the country of Antigua suffered severe economic hardship with US federal agents raided Stanford Financial’s Houston offices in February of 2009. Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer is asking for a meeting with President Barack Obama, saying, “Antigua and Barbuda is concerned that the negotiations are being protracted, with no potential end in sight.” He spoke of sanctions “In light of the obvious unwillingness of the United States to reach a negotiated settlement that takes into account the contribution of the sector to the economic well-being of Antigua and Barbuda, we have brought the matter before the Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, which has supported Antigua and Barbuda’s position on this matter from the inception.”
Despite a Democrat in the White House, the chances for a quick settlement are slim. Most Democrats envision operating online casinos from within the United States to enable easy regulation and taxation. In fact, if the Democrats were to legalize gambling, Antigua and Barbuda might lose even more money.While Antigua and Barbuda is a very small nation with very little economic power, the sanctions they impose on the United States may be imposed by the World Trade Organization, which would give power to the resolution.
