Trinidad and Tobago’s Dragon Gasoline Challenge in Jeopardy
U.S. President Donald Trump introduced Monday that he would impose a 25 per cent tariff on all U.S. imports from international locations that purchase oil or fuel from Venezuela, probably disrupting key regional vitality agreements, together with Trinidad and Tobago’s Dragon Gasoline Challenge.
In a submit on his Fact Social platform, Trump stated the measure would take impact April 2, citing Venezuela’s “hostile” stance towards the US. He warned that any nation persevering with to have interaction in oil and fuel transactions with Venezuela can be penalized by way of broad-based commerce tariffs.
“Any nation shopping for oil from Venezuela will face a 25 per cent tariff on all commerce with the US,” the previous president wrote. “That is efficient instantly and serves as official notification to DHS and different businesses.”
Trump additionally stated Venezuela would face a separate “secondary” tariff, claiming the South American nation is a base for the transnational legal gang Tren de Aragua. Trump additional asserted that U.S. authorities are actively deporting undocumented immigrants allegedly linked to the gang.
The implications are important for Trinidad and Tobago, which had been granted a particular waiver from U.S. oil sanctions in 2023, permitting it to proceed with the Dragon Gasoline Challenge. The initiative includes importing pure fuel from Venezuela’s Dragon Gasoline Area to Trinidad’s Hibiscus platform through a 22-kilometre pipeline.
Preliminary work on the venture started in late 2024 underneath an amended OFAC (Workplace of Overseas Belongings Management) licence issued by the U.S. Treasury Division. The licence is presently legitimate till October 31, 2025, and permits Shell, the Nationwide Gasoline Firm (NGC), and related contractors to conduct exploration, manufacturing, and export actions.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Power Minister and Prime Minister-in-waiting Stuart Younger SC emphasised the venture’s significance to nationwide vitality safety. First fuel deliveries are projected for 2026 or 2027, contingent on continued U.S. help.
Younger is predicted to journey to Jamaica this week to fulfill with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The high-level assembly, which incorporates CARICOM leaders akin to Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, is predicted to handle vitality cooperation and regional safety.
It stays to be seen whether or not Trump’s proposed coverage will acquire traction or have an effect on present agreements ought to he return to energy.
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