Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago

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Trinidad and Tobago-USA Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $5.32B total volume •Trinidad and Tobago surplus: $1.20B

Trinidad and TobagoUSA

$3.26B

Exports (2023)

USATrinidad and Tobago

$2.06B

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$1.20B

Surplus for Trinidad and Tobago

Total Trade

$5.32B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and USA. Green line shows exports from Trinidad and Tobago, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the Trinidad and Tobago-USA commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

Trinidad and TobagoUSA Exports

$3.26B
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
35.3% top product
1Oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude
$1.15B
35.3% of exports
2Ferrous products: obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in lumps, pellets or similar forms
$592.50M
18.2% of exports
3Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, natural gas
$528.85M
16.2% of exports
4Ammonia: anhydrous
$511.71M
15.7% of exports
5Alcohols: saturated monohydric, methanol (methyl alcohol)
$206.45M
6.3% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Trinidad and Tobago's export portfolio to USA demonstrates strategic specialization, with oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

USATrinidad and Tobago Imports

$2.06B
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
27.2% concentration
1Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils
$560.59M
27.2% of imports
2Dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feeding
$34.03M
1.7% of imports
3Meat and edible offal: of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus, cuts and offal, frozen
$24.21M
1.2% of imports
4Boring or sinking machinery: parts of the machinery of item no. 8430.41 or 8430.41
$23.81M
1.2% of imports
5Birds' eggs, in shell: fresh, fertilised eggs for incubation, of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus (domestic hens)
$23.74M
1.2% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Trinidad and Tobago's import pattern from USA reveals significant dependencyin petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Trinidad and Tobago demonstrates competitive strength in exportingoils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude to USA, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 5+ Categories
🔄

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsstrongcomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Specialized Exchange
📈

Growth Potential

The $5.32B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Trinidad and Tobago-USA Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $5.32 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Trinidad and Tobago maintains a surplus of $1.20 billion
  • Export Focus: Trinidad and Tobago's primary exports include oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude, ferrous products: obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in lumps, pellets or similar forms, petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, natural gas
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from USA include petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feeding, meat and edible offal: of fowls of the species gallus domesticus, cuts and offal, frozen

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationConcentrated
Trade Balance HealthImbalanced

📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents an important regional trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.

Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context

Trade Evolution Timeline

2019-2023: Recent Trends

Current trade volume of $5.32B represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.

2015-2019: Growth Period

Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with Trinidad and Tobago leveraging its comparative advantages in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude.

2010-2015: Foundation Building

Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.

Pre-2010: Early Development

Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.

Key Economic Drivers

1

Comparative Advantage

Trinidad and Tobago's specialization in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crudecomplements USA's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $5.32B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyModerate
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $5.32B bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.

Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook

Economic Impact Assessment

💰

Trade Volume Impact

The $5.32 billion bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude and petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Trinidad and Tobago's trade surplus of $1.20 billion strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Export Advantage

Strategic Future Outlook

🚀Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in ferrous products: obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in lumps, pellets or similar forms present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

⚠️Risk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Moderate concentration in key sectors requires monitoring
Market Competition
Global competition in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude may affect future market positioning.

🎯Strategic Recommendations

  • Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
  • Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
  • Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
  • Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs

Market Position & Competitive Summary

The bilateral trade relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and USA represents a total trade volume of $5.32 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for Trinidad and Tobago, with exports exceeding importsby $1.20 billion.

Export Strengths

Trinidad and Tobago's exports to USA total $3.26 billion, with competitive advantages in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude, representing $1.15B or35.3% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from USA amount to $2.06 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, with Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils comprising27.2% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates Trinidad and Tobago's competitive position in this bilateral relationship. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.

Download Bilateral Trade Data

Access detailed trade data between Trinidad and Tobago and USA in multiple formats.

Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023