U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Minister Amery Browne met to discuss issues such as regional security, the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
Blinken emphasized the US commitment to the Caribbean region and expressed appreciation for Trinidad and Tobago's cooperation on security issues, according to a March 7 release of their remarks. Both officials agreed on the importance of cooperation and dialogue to address shared challenges.
"Met with Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Minister @AmeryABrowne to reinforce our countries' strong partnership, particularly in supporting Haiti and addressing climate change," Blinken said in a March 7 post on Twitter. "We value Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to promoting democracy, prosperity, and security in the Americas."
Blinken reported more than 10,000 Americans visit Trinidad and Tobago annually for tourism and business, according to the release. He added the hope is to see that number increase.
"We are working together in so many ways every day in our own hemisphere, working to continue to strengthen democracy, to forge ahead on building even greater economic prosperity, working on challenges of regional security," Blinken said in the release. "Of course, we have deep connections between our people. We have a very vibrant diaspora here in the United States which we very much welcome."
"Some of the priorities for the Caribbean community are shared with the United States of America – energy security, food security, improving our access to financing for development and recognizing that the United States and Trinidad and Tobago go back hundreds of years," Browne said in the release. "And we share a significant diaspora, but we also share principles in common – respect for democracy, a desire for peace in our region and to see countries working more closely together."
The U.S. has historically maintained a strong, cooperative relationship with Trinidad and Tobago, which has been an independent country since 1962, according to a State Department fact sheet. Both nations have a positive economic partnership, with the U.S. being one of Trinidad and Tobago's most prominent trading partners.
They also cooperate on issues including security, counterterrorism and counternarcotics, and the U.S. assists Trinidad and Tobago in areas such as energy security, disaster preparedness and public health, the fact sheet reported. Both nations have declared their commitment to promoting democracy, human rights and regional stability in the Caribbean.
