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, 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. 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. 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
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 |
| 7 January 1974 | See Australia–Trinidad and Tobago relations
| |
| See Barbados–Trinidad and Tobago relations | ||
| 21 September 1981 | ||
| See Brazil-Trinidad and Tobago relationsBrazil 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. | ||
| August 31, 1962 | See Canada–Trinidad and Tobago relations Both Countries established diplomatic relations in August 1962. Canada currently has 68,000 Trinidad and Tobagoan immigrants.
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| See Chile-Trinidad and Tobago relations | ||
| 20 June 1974 | See China–Trinidad and Tobago relations | |
| 14 December 2011 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on December 14, 2011. | |
| 8 December 1972 | See Cuba–Trinidad and Tobago relations
| |
| See France–Trinidad and Tobago relationsBilateral relations between the countries France and Trinidad and Tobago have existed for about two hundred years. Currently, France has an embassy in Port of Spain. Trinidad and Tobago is represented in France through its embassy in Brussels. Trinidad and Tobago also has bilateral investment agreements with France. | ||
Georgia is represented in Trinidad and Tobago by its embassy in Brasilia. | ||
| 26 May 1966 | See 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 on Energy Cooperation. | |
| See India–Trinidad and Tobago relations Both nations formally established diplomatic relations in 1962. Republic of India operates a High Commission in Port of Spain, whilst Republic of Trinidad and Tobago operates a High Commission in New Delhi. | ||
| 1962 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in January 1962. The country is among the staunchest supporters of Israel in the Caribbean | |
See Jamaica–Trinidad and Tobago relations
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| 24 September 2009 | ||
| 30 April 1966 | See Mexico–Trinidad and Tobago relations | |
| See Peru-Trinidad and Tobago relations | ||
| 6 June 1974 | See Russia–Trinidad and Tobago relationsThe 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. 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. In 2004, the Russian Cossack folk dance had nine concerts in Port of Spain, San Fernando, Couva, and Tobago. | |
| 1974 |
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| 1971 | See Singapore-Trinidad and Tobago relations | |
| 2014 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 2014. | |
| 23 July 1985 | The establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Trinidad and Tobago started 23 July 1985. | |
| 10 January 1995 | See South Africa-Trinidad and Tobago relations
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| 31 August 1962 | See Trinidad and Tobago–United Kingdom relations | |
| See Trinidad and Tobago–United States relations. 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.
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| See Trinidad and Tobago-Venezuela Relations |
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.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, 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.