Foreign relations of Trinidad and Tobago

Modern Trinidad and Tobago maintains close relations with its Caribbean neighbours and major North American and European trading partners. As the most industrialized and second-largest country in the English-speaking Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago has taken a leading role in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and strongly supports CARICOM economic integration efforts. It also is active in the Summit of the Americas process and supports the establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, lobbying other nations for seating the Secretariat in Port of Spain.

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As a member of CARICOM, Trinidad and Tobago strongly backed efforts by the United States to bring political stability to Haiti, contributing personnel to the Multinational Force in 1994. After its 1962 independence, Trinidad and Tobago joined the United Nations and Commonwealth of Nations. In 1967, it became the first Commonwealth country to join the Organization of American States (OAS). In 1995, Trinidad played host to the inaugural meeting of the Association of Caribbean States and has become the seat of this 35-member grouping, which seeks to further economic progress and integration among its states.

In international forums, Trinidad and Tobago has defined itself as having an independent voting record, but often supports U.S. and EU positions.

Trinidad and Tobago has historically been a trans-shipment point for South American drugs destined for the United States and Europe. This has created much tension in the country's politics.

Trinidad and Tobago is also a member-state of the International Criminal Court, without a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the U.S. military (as covered under Article 98)

Trinidad and Tobago and the Commonwealth of Nations

Trinidad and Tobago became an independent state in 1962 with Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Trinidad and Tobago. She was represented by the Governor-General of Trinidad and Tobago.

In 1976, Trinidad and Tobago became a Commonwealth republic with the last Governor-General, Sir Ellis Clarke becoming the first President of Trinidad and Tobago.

Bilateral relations
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 ArmeniaSee Armenia–Trinidad and Tobago relations
 Australia7 January 1974See Australia–Trinidad and Tobago relations
 BarbadosSee Barbados–Trinidad and Tobago relations
  • Barbados maintains non-resident representation to Port of Spain.
  • Trinidad and Tobago maintains non-resident representation to Bridgetown.
 Belize21 September 1981
 BrazilSee Brazil-Trinidad and Tobago relations

Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago enjoy a cordial and active relation. The establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries started in 1942 with the establishment of a Brazilian Vice-Consulate in Port-of-Spain, where later the Brazilian Embassy was open in 1965. Several mutual visits of Heads of State have occurred starting in 2008, when a MOU for cooperation on energy industry was signed.[2]

 CanadaAugust 31, 1962See Canada–Trinidad and Tobago relations

Both Countries established diplomatic relations in August 1962. Canada currently has 68,000 Trinidad and Tobagoan immigrants.

  • Canada has a High Commission in Port of Spain.
  • Trinidad and Tobago has a High Commission in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Toronto.
 ChileSee Chile-Trinidad and Tobago relations
  • Trinidad has a consulate in Santiago while Chile has an embassy in Port of Spain
 China20 June 1974See China–Trinidad and Tobago relations
  • China has an embassy in Port of Spain
  • Trinidad and Tobago has an embassy in Beijing
 Croatia14 December 2011

Both countries established diplomatic relations on December 14, 2011.[3][4]

 Cuba8 December 1972See Cuba–Trinidad and Tobago relations
  • Cuba has an embassy in Port of Spain.
  • Trinidad and Tobago has an embassy in Havana.
 Cyprus
 FranceSee France–Trinidad and Tobago relations

Bilateral relations between the countries France and Trinidad and Tobago have existed for about two hundred years.[6] Currently, France has an embassy in Port of Spain. Trinidad and Tobago is represented in France through its embassy in Brussels (Belgium). Trinidad and Tobago also has bilateral investment agreements with France.[7]

 Georgia

Georgia is represented in Trinidad and Tobago by its embassy in Brasilia.[8]

 Guyana26 May 1966See Guyana-Trinidad and Tobago relations

Both Nations formally established diplomatic relations on 26 May 1966. The two share many similarities between each other due to their shared history in the Commonwealth of Nations along with having similar language, culture, demographics and religions. Both countries had substantial numbers of indentured servants from India and slaves from Africa imported into their country. In the 1970s, Trinidad and Tobago gave Guyana substantial oil exports on credit and in the 1990s, forgave hundred of millions of dollars of debt under the Paris Club Agreement. In 2017, Guyana established its first High Commission in Port of Spain. In 2018, Both countries signed a MOU(Memorandum of Understanding) on Energy Cooperation.

 IndiaSee India–Trinidad and Tobago relations

Both nations formally established diplomatic relations in 1962.[9] Republic of India operates a High Commission in Port of Spain,[10] whilst Republic of Trinidad and Tobago operates a High Commission in New Delhi.[11]

 Israel1962

Both countries established diplomatic relations in January 1962. The country is among the staunchest supporters of Israel in the Caribbean[12]

 JamaicaSee Jamaica–Trinidad and Tobago relations
  • Jamaica has a High Commission in Port of Spain.
  • Trinidad and Tobago has a High Commission in Kingston.
 Malta24 September 2009
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on September 24, 2009.[13]
  • Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
 Mexico30 April 1966See Mexico–Trinidad and Tobago relations
  • Mexico has an embassy in Port of Spain.[14]
  • Trinidad and Tobago is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.[15]
 Nigeria
  • Nigeria has a High Commission in Port of Spain.
  • Trinidad and Tobago has a High Commission in Abuja.
 PeruSee Peru-Trinidad and Tobago relations
  • Peru has an embassy in Port of Spain
  • Trinidad and Tobago has a Consulate in Lima
 Russia6 June 1974See Russia–Trinidad and Tobago relations

The Soviet Union and Trinidad and Tobago have signed diplomatic missions on June 6, 1974. Both countries have interests with each other since the Soviet Union. In August 1992, Trinidad recognized Russia as the USSR's successor. Currently, Russia is represented in Trinidad and Tobago through a non-resident embassy in Georgetown (Guyana). In 2004, Sergey Lavrov and Knowlson Gift signed the protocol on the political consultations between the two Ministries. In April 2005 the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago signed the cooperation agreement.[16] In 2004, the Russian Cossack folk dance had nine concerts in Port of Spain, San Fernando, Couva, and Tobago.

 Serbia1974
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1974.[17]
  • Both countries have a number of bilateral agreements.[18]
 Singapore1971See Singapore-Trinidad and Tobago relations
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1971.
  • Singapore was Trinidad and Tobago's 3rd largest import partner in 2015.
 Solomon Islands2014

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 2014.[19]

 South Korea23 July 1985

The establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Trinidad and Tobago started 23 July 1985.[20]

 South Africa10 January 1995See South Africa-Trinidad and Tobago relations
  • South Africa has a High Commission in Port of Spain.
  • Trinidad and Tobago has a High Commission in Pretoria.
 SpainSee Spain–Trinidad and Tobago relations
 Turkey1963[21]See Trinidad and Tobago–Turkey relations
  • Turkey has an embassy in Port of Spain.[22]
  • Trade volume between the two countries was 120.8 million USD in 2019 (Trinidad's exports/imports: 52.4/68.4 million USD).[22]
 United Kingdom31 August 1962See Trinidad and Tobago–United Kingdom relations
  • Trinidad and Tobago has a High Commission in London.
  • The United Kingdom has a High Commission in Port of Spain.
 United StatesSee Trinidad and Tobago–United States relations
United States embassy in Port of Spain.

The United States and Trinidad and Tobago enjoy cordial relations. U.S. interests there 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 in Port of Spain in 1962, replacing the former consulate-general.

  • Trinidad and Tobago has an embassy in Washington, D.C..
  • United States has an embassy in Port of Spain.
 VenezuelaSee Trinidad and Tobago-Venezuela Relations
  • Trinidad and Tobago has an embassy in Caracas.
  • Venezuela has an embassy in Port of Spain.

International organisations

On its independence in 1962, Trinidad and Tobago joined the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations. In 1967, it became the first Commonwealth country to join the Organization of American States (OAS).

In 1995, Trinidad played host to the inaugural meeting of the Association of Caribbean States and has become the seat of this 35-member grouping, which seeks to further economic progress and integration among its states.

As the most industrialized and second-largest country in the English-speaking Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago has taken a leading role in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and strongly supports CARICOM economic integration efforts. It also is active in the Summit of the Americas process and supports the establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, lobbying other nations for seating the Secretariat in Port of Spain. As a member of CARICOM, Trinidad and Tobago strongly backed efforts by the United States to bring political stability to Haiti, contributing personnel to the Multinational Force in 1994.

Trinidad and Tobago is also a member-state of the International Criminal Court, without a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the U.S. military (as covered under Article 98).

See also

References
  1. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-12-30. Retrieved 2019-02-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "República de Trinidad e Tobago". www.itamaraty.gov.br. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  3. "MVEP • Date of Recognition and Establishment of Diplomatic Relations". www.mvep.hr. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  4. "MVEP • Overview of Bilateral Treaties of the Republic of Croatia by Country". www.mvep.hr. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  5. "MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS - Cyprus Diplomatic Missions Abroad". www.mfa.gov.cy. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  6. Sahadeo Basdeo and Graeme Mount (2001). The Foreign Relations of Trinidad and Tobago (1962-2000). Lexicon. ISBN 976-631-023-8. The French presence in Trinidad and Tobago dates back two centuries. It is not surprising that French influence ...CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  7. World trade and arbitration materials v. 11, nos. 1-3 (Werner Pub. Co., 1999), 24.
  8. "საქართველოს საგარეო საქმეთა სამინისტრო - Home". mfa.gov.ge. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  9. "About Trinidad and Tobago - The High Commission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago". Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  10. "Hcipos.in". www.hcipos.in. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  11. Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in New Delhi Archived 2015-04-29 at the Wayback Machine
  12. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-04-20. Retrieved 2014-07-28.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. foreignaffairs.gov.mt https://foreignaffairs.gov.mt/default.aspx?aspxerrorpath=/mt/Archives/Pages/Establishment-of-Diplomatic-Relations-between-Malta-and-the-Republic-of-Trinidad-and-Tobago.aspx. Retrieved 2020-07-20. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. "Inicio". embamex.sre.gob.mx. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  15. "Embassy in Washington D.C., U.S.A." Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  16. "Embassy of the Russian Federation in Georgetown about relations with Trinidad and Tobago". Archived from the original on 2012-02-16. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
  17. "Bilateral Issues with Foreign Countries". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia.
  18. "TRADE AGREEMENT /SFRY-TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO". 20 October 1996.
  19. "TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ESTABLISHES DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH SOLOMON ISLANDS". Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales Secretaria General. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  20. "외교부 바로가기주소". Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  21. "II.Bilateral Relations (Main Documents)". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
  22. "Relations between Turkey and Trinidad and Tobago".
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