Updated April 19, 2022
Trinidad and Tobago
Political and Economic Environment
and Tobago is classified by the World Bank as a high-
Trinidad and Tobago, the second-most-populous English-
income economy because of its relatively high per capita
speaking Caribbean nation after Jamaica, is located in the
income level, estimated at over $15,000 in 2021. Even
southeast Caribbean, just seven miles from Venezuela at its
before the pandemic, however, the country’s energy-based
closest point. The country’s population is largely of African
economy (especially natural gas and petrochemicals,
and East Indian descent, each comprising about 35% of the
accounting for about half of gross domestic product [GDP])
total, with those of mixed descent and other ethnic groups
was negatively affected by the global decline in commodity
comprising the remainder. In 1962, the country became one
prices. With the pandemic’s onset, the economy contracted
of the first British territories in the Caribbean to attain
7.4% in 2020 and an estimated 1.0% in 2021, according to
independence, retaining the parliamentary political system
the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
it inherited from the United Kingdom (UK). In 1976,
Trinidad and Tobago became a parliamentary republic, with
Trinidad and Tobago at a Glance
a president elected by parliament as head of state (in a
Population:
1.41 mil ion (2021, IMF est.)
largely ceremonial role) replacing the British monarch.
Area (square miles): 1,980, slightly smaller than Delaware
Figure 1. Trinidad and Tobago Map
GDP (current
$21.4 bil ion (2021, IMF est.)
prices):
-7.4% (2020, IMF); -1.0% (2021, IMF
Real GDP Growth:
est.); 5.5% (2022, IMF projected)
Per Capita Income
$15,201 (2021, IMF est.)
(current prices):
U.S. Imports, $4.2 bil ion (2021, oil,
natural gas, and petrochemicals, 77%);
U.S. Trade:
U.S. Exports, $2.7 bil ion (2021,
petroleum products 29%) (TDM)
Bicameral Parliament, with 41-
member elected House of
Legislature:
Representatives and 31-member
appointed Senate
Sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Economic Outlook

Source: CRS
Database, April 2022; World Bank (WB); and Trade Data Monitor
(TDM), which presents U.S. trade statistics.
Note: The large majority of the population lives on Trinidad.
Current Prime Minister Keith Rowley, of the center-left
The IMF commended the government for decisively
People’s National Movement (PNM), is serving his second
responding to the pandemic by implementing public health
consecutive term as head of government since 2015. He
restrictions, enacting a robust relief package, and easing
was most recently reelected in 2020. In the 2020 elections,
monetary policy, although the IMF noted concerns about
the PNM maintained a slight majority in parliament after
large fiscal deficits. Looking ahead, the IMF projects 5.5%
securing 22 out of 41 seats in the House of Representatives.
growth in 2022 as the economy begins to recover, with an
The opposition center-left United National Congress (UNC)
anticipated increase in domestic demand and energy
won the remaining 19 seats, with Kamla Persad-Bissessar,
production from new oil and gas fields. Over the longer
the country’s first female prime minister (2010-2015),
term, the government has plans to diversify the economy
serving as leader of the opposition. The PNM and the UNC
through efforts to improve the business climate and to
are Trinidad and Tobago’s two major political parties, and
attract new industries beyond energy, including in the
political affiliations are often tied to ethnicity. The PNM,
agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
first established in 1955, tends to receive its support from
Afro-Trinidadians, and the UNC, established in 1989,
Trinidad and Tobago has reported 3,803 COVID-19-related
receives a majority of its support from Indo-Trinidadians.
deaths since the pandemic began as of April 18, 2022,
equating to a mortality rate of 273 deaths per 100,000
Among the principal challenges facing the Rowley
people, according to Johns Hopkins University statistics.
administration are the economic and health effects of the
The government also reported that almost 51% of the
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Trinidad
population was fully vaccinated. Vaccine hesitancy remains
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Trinidad and Tobago
a challenge. Trinidad and Tobago has acquired vaccines
law enforcement capacity and resources; and corruption in
through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX)
the ranks of law enforcement, border security entities, and
Facility and other purchases. It also has received vaccine
the postal system. Nevertheless, the State Department
donations from other Caribbean countries, China, India,
maintains that Trinidad and Tobago continues to make
and, most significantly, the United States (see below).
progress in efforts to investigate and dismantle drug
networks and notes that drug seizures increased in 2021
Another challenge for the Rowley government is
from the previous year. The State Department characterizes
contending with persistently high crime rates, including
bilateral cooperation with Trinidad and Tobago on drug
homicides and other violent crimes. In 2021, Trinidad and
trafficking and transnational crime as productive and
Tobago reported 448 murders, a 12% increase over 2020;
recommends that the government continue to strengthen
this figure equates to about 32 murders per 100,000 people,
border security and increase efforts to combat public
the fourth-highest rate in Latin America and the Caribbean.
corruption, which facilitates such crime.
In terms of foreign relations, Trinidad and Tobago has been
U.S. Foreign Aid. The United States provided $5.8 million
a major proponent of Caribbean economic integration and
in aid to Trinidad and Tobago in FY2020 from all U.S.
plays a leading role in the Caribbean Community
agencies (https://foreignassistance.gov/cd/trinidadtobago/,
(CARICOM). Relations with the People’s Republic of
latest full-year data available). Top sectors included
China (PRC) also increased over the past decade, with
humanitarian assistance, peace and security, health, and the
Trinidad and Tobago signing on to the PRC’s Belt and
environment. Slightly more than half of the bilateral
Road Initiative, focused on infrastructure development, in
funding was humanitarian assistance aimed at supporting
2018. Trinidad and Tobago also has continued relations and
Venezuelan migrants residing in the country, currently
bilateral cooperation with neighboring Venezuela under the
estimated at around 28,500. Trinidad and Tobago has
government of Nicolás Maduro.
received U.S. assistance for a number of years to combat
HIV/AIDS through the President’s Emergency Plan for
U.S. Relations with Trinidad and Tobago
AIDS Relief (PEPFAR); the aid has included support to
According to the Department of State, U.S. relations with
expand access to treatment for those living with HIV.
Trinidad and Tobago are cordial and cooperative,
characterized by a shared commitment to democracy,
Since FY2010, Trinidad and Tobago has received
mutually beneficial trade, and close security cooperation.
assistance through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
Cultural ties are strong in part because of large Trinidadian
(CBSI), a U.S. regional initiative supporting the efforts of
communities in New York and Florida and more than
Caribbean nations to reduce illicit trafficking, increase
12,500 U.S. citizens residing in the country.
public safety and security, and promote social justice
through crime-prevention programs. Under the CBSI,
Economic Linkages. The United States has traditionally
Trinidad and Tobago has received law enforcement
run a trade deficit with Trinidad and Tobago because of the
training; support for increasing port security and maritime
country’s energy exports to the United States. In 2021, the
interdiction capabilities; and assistance for the criminal
United States imported $4.2 billion in goods, with oil,
justice sector, including judicial mechanisms for juveniles
natural gas, and petrochemicals accounting for almost 77%;
and educational opportunities for at-risk youth.
in the same year, the United States exported $2.7 billion in
goods, with refined petroleum products making up nearly
U.S. COVID-19-related assistance to Trinidad and Tobago
29%. Since 1984, Trinidad and Tobago has been a
has most significantly included the delivery of almost
beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act
685,000 donated vaccine doses. This is about three-quarters
(P.L. 98-67, as amended, with no expiration), a U.S.
of the 908,000 vaccine doses that the United States has
preferential trade program for Caribbean imports. Since
committed to Trinidad and Tobago.
2001, it has been a beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin
Trade Partnership Act (Title II of P.L. 106-200, extended
Trafficking in Persons. The State Department placed
through September 2030), which expanded preferential
Trinidad and Tobago on its Tier 2 Watch List in its 2021
tariff treatment for petroleum products and qualifying
Trafficking in Persons Report, downgrading the country
textile and apparel products. U.S. foreign direct investment
from Tier 2. The State Department maintained that Trinidad
in Trinidad and Tobago amounted to almost $5 billion in
and Tobago is making significant efforts to counter human
2020. The United States and CARICOM countries,
trafficking, including developing an anti-trafficking
including Trinidad and Tobago, signed a Trade and
national action plan and streamlining trafficking-related
Investment Framework Agreement in 2013 that provides a
court cases. Nevertheless, the State Department maintained
forum for discussing commercial issues.
that the government conducted fewer investigations and
identified fewer victims compared with the previous
Drug Trafficking Issues. The State Department’s 2022
reporting period and that it has never convicted a trafficker
International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR)
under its 2011 anti-trafficking law.
describes Trinidad and Tobago as a transshipment point for
illegal drugs (cocaine and marijuana) destined for Europe,
Mark P. Sullivan, Specialist in Latin American Affairs
North America, and the rest of the Caribbean. Drug
Joshua Klein, Presidential Management Fellow
trafficking organizations reportedly take advantage of the
country’s proximity to Venezuela; porous borders; limited
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Trinidad and Tobago


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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF10914 · VERSION 3 · UPDATED

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