WASHINGTON, D.C. — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. met recently with White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair to press for targeted federal action that protects Virgin Islanders from the unintended harm of recent changes to the federal de minimis exemption, which affects the duty-free treatment of many low-value shipments.
Governor Bryan said the policy shift is already creating added costs and delays for residents and local businesses that rely on mail order purchases and small-scale shipping, a reality that hits harder in an island territory where prices are higher and options are fewer.
“Our people should not pay the price for one-size-fits-all federal policies,” Governor Bryan said. “When rules written for the mainland are imposed on a fragile island economy like ours, the result is higher costs, fewer options, and real hardship for everyday Virgin Islanders.”
During the meeting, the Governor emphasized that the U.S. Virgin Islands’ unique political and economic status requires tailored solutions so that consumers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs are not overburdened by policies crafted for very different circumstances. He underscored the Territory’s geographic isolation, limited market size, and higher baseline cost of living, and urged that these realities be fully considered in any federal policy adjustments.
Governor Bryan also raised the continued harm caused by the European Union’s blacklist and urged action to remove the Virgin Islands from the list. Deputy Chief of Staff Blair committed to looking into the matter. The Governor said delisting would strengthen the Territory’s financial reputation, improve its investment climate, and reinforce the Virgin Islands’ standing as a responsible jurisdiction for business.
The Governor and Blair also discussed persistent challenges tied to the H-2B visa program and the impact on key sectors across the Territory, including hospitality, construction, and specialized services. Blair agreed to work through these issues with Department of Homeland Security officials, including Secretary Kristi Noem, to pursue a more flexible and dependable approach that supports the Territory’s labor needs while protecting opportunities for resident workers.
“These conversations are about fairness and our economic future,” Governor Bryan said. “Virgin Islanders deserve federal policies that reflect our reality, not rules drafted with no regard for how they play out in a small island community 1,000 miles from the mainland.”
Governor Bryan said he will continue engaging federal partners on the Territory’s priorities and will keep the public informed as discussions advance.
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