THE NEW CARIBBEAN AND THE UNITED-STATES

Most Caribbean states have produced new political leadership that is s ignificantly different from the last generation in a number of ways. R elying more on the projections of technical competence than on charism a and gratitude, these new leaders face volatile domestic situations i n which they find themselves challenged by increasing drug problems, l ocal political indifference, weak party organizations, and a world dra matically altered by the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the preca rious internal economic situation of the United States. The United Sta tes remains inordinately important as the major market for Caribbean p roducts, although trade with the region represents only a small part o f American foreign trade. The diversity of the various states makes un animity in matters of foreign policy difficult among Caribbean leaders . Differences in scale will affect foreign policy concerns, although, on many major issues, Caribbean political leaders must work closely wi th the United States. The primary challenge will be to balance equitab ly their local interests with those of the larger state.