Dominican legislators urge dialogue in the face of trade restrictions with Haiti
Various Dominican legislators have expressed their concern regarding the recent restrictions imposed by Haitian authorities, which limit the land entry of a wide variety of products from the Dominican Republic. The congressmen warn that this measure represents a severe blow to both binational trade and the stability of local producers.
Rafael Pérez, president of the Chamber of Deputies’ Border Affairs Commission, emphasized that it is imperative to resume diplomatic talks. According to the legislator, it is fundamental to understand the motivations behind this decision in order to seek a solution that protects the economic dynamism of the border markets, which mobilize billions of pesos annually.
What we understand is that agreements must be made, we must go to the dialogue table.
Rafael Pérez, president of the Border Affairs Commission
Economic impact and commercial sovereignty
Senator Dagoberto Rodríguez described the situation as a possible mechanism of political pressure, highlighting the neighboring country’s dependence on Dominican supplies. “It is the Dominican Republic that supplies 90% of what Haitians consume,” he stated, suggesting the urgent intervention of the Ministries of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs, as well as Foreign Affairs, to mediate at key points such as Dajabón, Jimaní, and Pedernales.
For his part, Deputy Frank Ramírez warned about the imminent risk of bankruptcy for entrepreneurs and merchants who depend on the export of perishable goods to the Haitian market. In the same vein, Senator Moisés Ayala acknowledged Haiti’s right to establish its trade policies, but warned that the measure will also affect the supply of basic goods for the Haitian population itself.
Affected products and official measures
The restrictions, applied since Monday at the Dajabón border bridge, affect a long list of products, including:
- Wheat flour and pasta.
- Edible oil, butter, and margarine.
- Detergents and plastic utensils.
- Construction materials, such as iron.
- Carbonated drinks, powdered juices, and beer.
- Drinking water and foam containers.
The regulations dictate that, from now on, these goods may only enter Haiti via air or sea transport. Given this scenario, President Luis Abinader has indicated that the Dominican Government is evaluating the implications of these measures to establish a definitive official position on the future of trade flow at the border.
