Note to our readers: Background Notes are no longer being updated or produced. They are being replaced with Fact Sheets focusing on U.S. relations with countries and other areas and providing links to additional resources. For archived versions of Background Notes, visit http://www.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/.
More information about Trinidad and Tobago is available on the Trinidad and Tobago Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
U.S.-TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO RELATIONS
The United States and Trinidad and Tobago enjoy cordial relations. U.S. interests in the country and throughout the hemisphere include increasing investment and trade. as well as enhancing Trinidad and Tobago's political and social stability and its positive regional role through support for drug interdiction, health promotion, and legal and security affairs. Assistance to Trinidad and Tobago from the U.S. military, from law enforcement authorities, and in health matters is important to the bilateral relationship and to accomplishing U.S. policy objectives. The two countries have extradition and mutual legal assistance treaties, and agreements on maritime cooperation and tax information exchange. There are large numbers of U.S. citizens and permanent residents of Trinidadian origin living in the United States (mostly in New York and Florida), which keeps cultural ties strong. About 20,000 U.S. citizens visit Trinidad and Tobago on vacation or for business every year, and more than 6,500 American citizens are residents.
U.S. Assistance to Trinidad and Tobago
The U.S. Government provides technical assistance to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago through a number of existing agreements. A Customs Advisory Team from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security works with the Ministry of Finance to update its procedures. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a part of the Department of Health and Human Services, collaborates with the Trinidad-based Caribbean Epidemiology Center and other regional partners to provide technical assistance and financial support for HIV/AIDS-related epidemiology surveillance and public health training in the region. Trinidad and Tobago is a participant in the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, the U.S. government’s regional citizen security and youth development assistance program.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Trinidad and Tobago is a leading beneficiary of the U.S. Caribbean Basin Initiative, which aims to facilitate the economic development and export diversification of the Caribbean Basin economies by providing beneficiary countries with duty-free access to the U.S. market for most goods. U.S. commercial ties with the country have always been strong; many of America's largest corporations have commercial links with Trinidad and Tobago, and more than 30 U.S. firms have offices and operations in the country. In recent years, U.S. firms have invested mostly in the petrochemical, oil/gas, and iron/steel sectors. Trinidad and Tobago is the single largest supplier of liquefied natural gas to the U.S. The two countries have a bilateral investment treaty, and agreements on double taxation and intellectual property rights.
Trinidad and Tobago's Membership in International Organizations
Trinidad and Tobago maintains close relations with its Caribbean neighbors and major North American and European trading partners. Trinidad and Tobago and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Organization of American States, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.
Bilateral Representation
The U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago is Beatrice W. Welters; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.
Trinidad and Tobago maintains an embassy in the United States at 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 (tel. 202-467-6490).
More information about Trinidad and Tobago is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
Department of State Trinidad and Tobago Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Trinidad and Tobago Page
U.S. Embassy: Trinidad and Tobago
History of U.S. Relations With Trinidad and Tobago
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Travel and Business Information
