Trinidad and Tobago and the United States enjoy cordial relations. U.S. interests focus on investment and trade, and on enhancing Trinidad and Tobago's political and social stability and positive regional role through assistance in drug interdiction, health issues, and legal affairs. A U.S. embassy was established in Port of Spain in 1962, replacing the former consulate general.

Indicative of this strong relationship, Prime Minister Panday joined President Clinton and 14 other Caribbean leaders for the first-ever U.S.-regional summit in Bridgetown, Barbados in May 1997. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright visited Trinidad and Tobago in March 1998. The summit strengthened the basis for regional cooperation on justice and counternarcotics, finance and development, and trade issues.

In 1999, bilateral assistance from all sources to Trinidad and Tobago amounted to more than $3 million, mostly Department of State grants, counternarcotics assistance, International Military Education and Training (IMET) funds, and Foreign Military Financing (FMF) funds. IMET and FMF programs were suspended in July 2003 under the terms of the American Service members Protection Act (ASPA), because Trinidad and Tobago, a member of the International Criminal Court, has not concluded a bilateral nonsurrender, or "Article 98" agreement with the United States. Currently, the main source of financial assistance provided to the defense force is through International Narcotics Law Enforcement and Traditional Commander's Activities funds. Assistance to Trinidad and Tobago from 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. The Department of Homeland Security has a Customs Advisory Team working with the Ministry of Finance to update its procedures. Similarly, the Treasury Department has an IRS advising team that works with the Board of Inland Revenue modernizing their tax administration. The Health and Human Services Department's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), established an office in 2002 to work with the Caribbean Epidemiology Center (CAREC) on health issues, including the devastating HIV/AIDS problem in the Caribbean.

U.S. commercial ties with Trinidad and Tobago have always been strong and have grown substantially in the last several years due to economic liberalization. U.S. firms have invested about $1 billion over the past several years--mostly in the petrochemical, oil/gas, and iron/steel sectors. More than 50 of America's largest corporations have commercial relations with Trinidad and Tobago, and more than 30 U.S. firms have offices and operations in the country. The U.S. embassy actively fosters bilateral business ties and provides a number of commercial services to potential investors and traders. Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties signed in 1996 came into force in November 1999. A Maritime Cooperation Agreement also was signed in 1996. A tax information exchange agreement was signed in 1989, and a Bilateral Investment Treaty and an Intellectual Property Rights Agreement were signed in 1994. The Bilateral Investment Treaty entered into force in 1996. Trinidad and Tobago is a beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI).

There are large numbers of U.S. citizens and permanent residents of Trinidadian origin living in the United States (mostly in New York), 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 2,700 American citizens are residents.

The U.S. Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago is located at 15 Queen's Park West, Port of Spain (tel. 868 622-6371, fax: 868 628-5462).