Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

In 2020, Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago celebrated 55 years of diplomatic relations. Brazil has had a resident Embassy in Port-of-Spain since 1965, three years after Trinidadian independence, which shows the historical relevance of the bilateral relationship. The strengthening of this relationship, as of the past decade, is part of a broader process of political and economic rapprochement with the Caribbean region. In this context, it is worth noting the Technical Cooperation Agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in the Energy Field between Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago, both signed in 2008, as well as the 1st Brazil-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Summit, held in 2010.

The cultural affinity that unites the two countries enables cooperation on issues such as the production of carnival shows, a relevant industry for the Trinidadian economy. Cooperation in such areas as tourism and agriculture, which are potentially attractive for investments, have also been explored. In 2016, within the scope of humanitarian cooperation, Brazil donated twenty thousand doses of influenza vaccine (trivalent H1N1) to the country.

In 2019, bilateral trade totaled $ 471.2 million, down 38% from the previous year. Brazilian exports to Trinidad and Tobago totaled $ 219.2 million (down 11% compared to 2018), while imports from that country totaled $ 252 million (down 50% compared to 2018).

The bilateral balance is unfavorable to Brazil; however, the Brazilian deficit fell from US$262.9 million in 2018 to US$32.8 million in 2019. In 2020, because of the negative effect on international trade caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Brazilian exports to Trinidad and Tobago retreated by about 15% and imports retreated by 30%, further reducing the Brazilian deficit.

Chronology of bilateral relations