In a significant diplomatic development, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Deputy Prime Minister St. Clair Leacock has declared that his nation’s relationship with Taiwan should transcend friendship to become “family,” signaling a major foreign policy shift by the ruling New Democratic Party (NDP).
The remarks came during Leacock’s arrival in Taipei as head of a four-member delegation on a six-day official visit—the first since the NDP assumed power in November 2023. This statement effectively abandons the party’s previously announced 2016 policy of seeking diplomatic relations with China, which Leacock himself characterized as a misstep that “hurt us” in April 2024.
Addressing Taiwanese officials, Leacock expressed profound appreciation for the “tremendous assistance and brotherly relationships” developed over 45 years of diplomatic relations between the nations. He emphasized the NDP administration’s commitment to “build on the strong bridges of friendship” with “open minds and hearts,” noting that both sides have “hit the ground running” since the NDP’s electoral victory.
The Deputy Prime Minister specifically referenced the legacy of former Prime Minister Sir James Mitchell, who established relations with Taiwan in 1981, stating the current government aims to build on “those bridges” to advance St. Vincent’s development toward first-world status.
This position contrasts with pre-election concerns raised by the opposition Unity Labour Party (ULP), which had warned that an NDP victory might jeopardize Vincentian students’ scholarships in Taiwan. Prime Minister Godwin Friday had previously assured continuity in foreign relations, stating diplomatic ties would remain unchanged for the “foreseeable future.
The evolution of the NDP’s position reveals the complex calculations in Caribbean diplomacy. Sir James Mitchell, the party’s elder statesman, had previously emphasized that both Taiwan and St. Vincent must act in their best interests, noting the NDP’s historical popularity was “very much historically dependent on the help we got from Taiwan.” He had advocated for obtaining “bankable assurances” from Taiwan while maintaining relations.
Leacock’s familial characterization of the relationship and commitment to enhanced cooperation suggests a consolidation of the Taiwan-St. Vincent partnership, with the Deputy Prime Minister expressing optimism that Taiwan’s generosity “will grow even faster, and bear fruits that will be long-lasting for the life and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”