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Trinidad and Tobago – United States relations arebilateral relations betweenTrinidad and Tobago and the United States.
The United States and Trinidad and Tobago enjoy cordial relations. U.S. interests here and throughout the hemisphere focus on increasing investment and trade, and ensuring more stable supplies of energy. They also include enhancing Trinidad and Tobago's political and social stability and positive regional role through assistance in drug interdiction, health issues, and legal affairs. The U.S.embassy was established inPort of Spain in 1962, replacing the formerconsulate general.
International Military Education and Training (IMET) and Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programs were suspended in 2003 under the terms of theAmerican Service-Members' Protection Act (ASPA), because Trinidad and Tobago, a member of theInternational Criminal Court, had not concluded a bilateral non-surrender or "Article 98" agreement with the United States. However, when Congress de-linked IMET funding from the Article 98 sanctions, a nominal allocation of $45,000 in IMET was reinstated for late 2007. Currently, the main source of financial assistance provided to the defense force is through theState Department'sBureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement funds, Traditional Commander's Activities funds, theState Partnership Program (withDelaware), and IMET. Assistance to Trinidad and Tobago from the U.S. military, law enforcement authorities, and in the area of health issues remains important to the bilateral relationship and to accomplishing U.S. policy objectives.
The U.S. Government also provides technical assistance to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago through a number of existing agreements. TheDepartment of Homeland Security has a Customs Advisory Team working with the Ministry of Finance to update its procedures. Similarly, theTreasury Department had anInternal Revenue Service (IRS) advising team that worked with the Board of Inland Revenue modernizing its tax administration; this long-running project ended in October 2007. The U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a part of theDepartment of Health and Human Services, collaborates with the Trinidad-basedCaribbean Epidemiology Center (CAREC) and other regional partners to provide technical assistance and financial support for HIV/AIDS-relatedepidemiological surveillance and public health training in the region.
U.S. commercial ties with Trinidad and Tobago have always been strong and have grown substantially in the last several years due toeconomic liberalization. U.S. firms have invested more than a billiondollars in recent years—mostly in thepetrochemical,oil/gas, and iron/steel sectors. 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. Trinidad and Tobago is a beneficiary of the U.S.Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI). The U.S. embassy actively fosters bilateral business ties and provides a number of commercial services to potential investors and traders. Adouble-taxation agreement has existed since the early 1970s. A tax information exchange agreement was signed in 1989, and aBilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and an Intellectual Property Rights agreement were signed in 1994. The BIT entered into force in 1996. Other agreements includeExtradition and Mutual Legal Assistance treaties, which have been in force since 1999. An agreement on Maritime Cooperation was signed in 1996.
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 4,600 American citizens are residents.
Principal U.S. Embassy Officials include:
The U.S. Embassy for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is located in the capital cityPort of Spain, on the main island of Trinidad.
In June 2021, the US embassy to Trinidad and Tobago was mocked after it had donated 80 vials of COVID-19 vaccines to a country with a population of 1.4 million.[1]
This article incorporatespublic domain material fromU.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets.United States Department of State.
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