Golding and 33 colleague heads of governments are attending the fifth Summit of the Americas being held in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, from April 17-19.
Following a plenary session during the summit yesterday morning, Prime Minister Golding said: "We discussed the security issues that affect the Caribbean, particularly as they relate to drug trafficking, and President Obama has given us a commitment to strengthen the level of support. He has initially indicated a commitment of US$30 million towards strengthening security surveillance in the region."
Trade support
Describing the discussions as "refreshing", Golding said that support for trade was also discussed.
"We were encouraged by his commitment to strengthen relations with the Caribbean … and the need for insistence, on the part of the United States, for special considerations to countries like those in the Caribbean because of their small size and the likelihood that they could become marginalised in the rush for assistance …
"We discussed with him the need for special arrangements to be put in place for countries like those in the Caribbean to be able to compete locally in strengthening our capacity, improving competitiveness without sacrificing our social security, and poverty-reduction programmes."
Invitation from obama
President Obama extended an invitation for Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders to meet with him in Washington later this year to continue the discussions, Golding disclosed.
He also reported that trade assistance to prepare for the impending free trade agreement between Canada and CARICOM countries was forthcoming. This was negotiated in a meeting on Friday night between CARICOM leaders and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
"I indicated the need for the free trade arrangement with Canada to be asymmetrical. We are not able to give as much and within the same timeline that Canada can give," Golding said. "We are going to need a longer adjustment period for liberalisation, similar to what was negotiated with the European Union. He (Harper) has indicated that is something that the Canadians are prepared to discuss with us," Golding added.
Golding delivered a presentation on behalf of the CARICOM group, requesting that the free trade arrangements must give consideration to the disparity in resources between the Caribbean states and Canada.