How to deal with Trump tariffs: Fiji PM Rabuka says ‘bide your time… roll with the punches’

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Tuesday took a measured stance on US trade policy under President Donald Trump, advising that the best approach is to “bide your time and roll with the punches” in the face of unpredictability.

In an exclusive interview with Firstpost Managing Editor Palki Sharma, PM Rabuka was asked whether President Trump’s use of tariffs and trade as pressure tactics is effective or contributing to global instability, to which he responded, “At present, it’s not working entirely in his favour, but the world can weather it. If we calmly manage the immediate impacts and prepare alternatives, we can endure the storm. Political change in the United States may bring opportunities to repair relations.”

On questions about the impact of sudden tariff impositions on Fijian exports, he emphasised the need for resilience and adaptability.

“It is not fair to judge Fiji–US relations solely on the decisions of one president. Though the tariffs were initially high and a burden, they have since been lowered, and our overall exports to America are not extensive. We are too small to have a trade war; we simply attempt to negotiate and diversify our export destinations. This approach yielded special considerations and a cordial relationship continues,” said Rabuka.

Asked whether his personal rapport with President Trump played a role in defusing tensions, Rabuka dismissed the notion, attributing the outcome to a collective, national response.

“We decided not to fight but to weather the punches, as a boxer does,” he said, adding, “We survived the hit and continued our association.”

When asked if his message for the global community is to “bide its time,” Rabuka affirmed it, pointing to Fiji’s own history of isolation.

“We were in a period in the wilderness, isolated from traditional partners for a decade. We self‑examined and returned to rules‑based governance. Our friends eventually welcomed us back,” said the Prime Minister.

Rabuka is currently on a three-day official visit to India, his first since taking office.

After arriving in Delhi on Sunday, he met  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday and engaged in high-level talks where both leaders committed to strengthening defence cooperation across key areas including peacekeeping, cybersecurity, and maritime surveillance.

Accompanied by a senior delegation featuring Health Minister Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu and other top officials, Rabuka’s visit signals a renewed emphasis on the deep and enduring ties between India and Fiji.

A statement from India’s government on Thursday underscored the visit’s significance, noting that it “reaffirms the continued commitment of both countries to further strengthen the bilateral relationship across all sectors and deepen our close people-to-people ties.”

With inputs from agencies