AMCHAM T&T Chief Executive Officer Nirad Tewarie engaged in high-level discussions with Luke Lindberg, Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), on the issue of tariffs imposed on petrochemical exports from Trinidad and Tobago to the United States.
The meeting took place during the Business Future of the Americas (BFA) Conference, held in Quito, Ecuador, from June 4 to 6. Organised by AMCHAM Quito Ecuador, the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America and the Caribbean (AACCLA), and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the event convened business leaders, policymakers, and government officials to address trade, investment, energy transition, and regional competitiveness.
Tewarie emphasised the importance of T&T’s petrochemical exports in supporting U.S. agriculture, noting that the country has long been a reliable supplier of key inputs used by American farmers. “Since T&T imports none of these products, the issue of reciprocity does not arise. T&T and the U.S. share a very strong and special relationship so, we hope this issue can be addressed in that context,” he said.
He added that Lindberg demonstrated a strong understanding of the matter and committed to reviewing the tariffs while acknowledging the strategic relationship between the two nations. Tewarie stressed that ensuring decision-makers recognize the mutual benefits of this trade relationship is critical, as the competitiveness of Trinidad and Tobago’s petrochemical sector directly impacts both the local economy and the U.S. agricultural value chain.
The CEO highlighted that AMCHAM T&T’s advocacy complements ongoing efforts by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and affected companies. He also pointed to the value of AMCHAM T&T’s membership in AACCLA, which provides access to influential business and policy leaders across the Americas.
AMCHAM T&T expressed gratitude to AACCLA and AMCHAM Quito Ecuador, led by Executive President Felipe Espinosa, for hosting a successful forum that fostered regional dialogue. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to advancing policies and partnerships that strengthen trade, investment, and competitiveness while safeguarding the interests of its members.
