Guyana well placed to benefit from shifting US trade policy, says former top commerce official

Guyana is well positioned to capitalise on evolving United States trade and foreign policy priorities, despite growing uncertainty in the global trading system.
This is according to former Head of the US Foreign Commercial Service, Arun Venkataraman.
Speaking at a World Trade Centre Georgetown forum titled, "Growing Business with the United States," Venkataraman said the world is witnessing a fundamental transformation in how the United States approaches international trade, with implications for governments and businesses alike.
"We are living through a period of profound reorientation in American trade and foreign policy," he told participants.
The former top US commerce official explained that trade preferences are increasingly being used as tools to advance broader foreign policy and national security objectives, creating both challenges and opportunities for trading partners.
Venkataraman noted that Guyana's strong relationship with the United States, combined with its growing importance as an energy producer and supplier of critical minerals, places the country in a favourable position within the new policy environment.
He pointed out that Guyana currently exports more than US$5 billion in goods annually to the United States, with petroleum and bauxite accounting for the majority of those exports.
Both sectors continue to enjoy exemptions from many of the tariff measures introduced under recent US trade policies.
While acknowledging that some emerging sectors may face challenges from new tariff regimes, he said Guyanese businesses remain competitive because similar measures are being applied to exporters from many other countries.
Venkataraman encouraged local companies to strengthen partnerships with American firms, particularly in sectors that align with US strategic priorities, including critical minerals, energy, infrastructure development, manufacturing and supply chain diversification.
"In a transactional policy environment, businesses that can show alignment with American priorities will be better positioned than others," he said.
He added that demonstrating the connection between commercial opportunities and strategic interests will be increasingly important for companies seeking access to the US market.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding global trade, Venkataraman expressed optimism about Guyana's future, describing the country as being in the midst of one of the most transformative periods in its history.
"It seems to me, at this most incredibly transformational period in the history of Guyana, Guyana is particularly well-placed," to benefit from these changes, he said.
The forum brought together government officials, diplomats, private sector representatives and business leaders to discuss the evolving trade relationship between Guyana and the United States and opportunities for future investment and economic cooperation.