Caption: Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Sean Sobers, left, with UK High Commissioner Jon Dean. AZP/Prior Beharry
By Prior Beharry
UNITED Kingdom High Commissioner Jon Dean noted that between July 2024 and June 2025, total trade in goods and services between Trinidad and Tobago and the UK reached £1.3 million.
He made this comment during a reception on Wednesday at his official residence at Maraval marking King Charles III’s birthday.
The high commissioner said, “Between July 2024 and June 2025, total trade in goods and services between our two nations reached an impressive £1.3 billion.
“This is a remarkable increase of over 105%, or £684 million, compared to the previous year. This increase underlines the growing business between our countries with brands like JCB, GSK; AstraZeneca; Diageo, Twinnings, Waitrose, Mini Cooper, Land Rover and many, many more having become household names in Trinidad and Tobago.
“I want to see trade continue to flourish between our two countries and UK firms supporting major infrastructure projects across the private and public sector remains a key priority for us.”
Dean also noted deepening links between the UK and T&T across education, climate action, trade and security, while acknowledging new UK visa requirements for T&T nationals. He described the latter as “the elephant in the room.”
He said that British missions worldwide mark both the monarch’s official and actual birthdays.
Dean said, “What a lot of people don’t know is that The King has two birthdays: an official birthday and his own birthday. Those of you who’ve celebrated with us before will recall that we usually mark the official birthday in June. But this year, we decided to celebrate The King’s real birthday which is this Friday, 14 November.”
Hosting guests at the historic High Commission residence—visited by the late Queen in 1985 and by the then-Prince Charles in 2000 and 2008—Dean tied the evening’s theme, “Nature and Innovation,” to the King’s decades-long environmental advocacy.
To underscore that theme, the mission previewed images from London’s Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition and announced the full exhibition will run November 17 to December 8 at the Rotunda Gallery at the Red House in Port of Spain.
Dean said that four Chevening Scholars from Trinidad and Tobago were pursing postgraduate studies in the UK, supported in part by the Proman Foundation.
He also cited the contributions of Trinbagonians to British culture, from broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald to Notting Hill Carnival pioneer Claudia Jones.
Addressing immigration policy, Dean said the UK’s introduction of a visit visa requirement for T&T nationals in March followed a sustained rise in asylum claims.
He said, “Now before I continue, I must address the elephant in the room. Or perhaps the elephant in the garden.
“I have spoken about the connections that bind us, but I must also speak about the barriers between us.
“In March, the UK introduced a visit visa requirement for Trinidad and Tobago nationals for the first time.
“This was not an easy decision for my ministers. It followed a sustained rise in asylum claims from Trinidad and Tobago nationals at the UK border.
“While most travellers comply with the rules, we needed to protect the integrity of our immigration system and address instances where it is misused. The UK’s first duty is to safeguard its borders and maintain a fair system for all.”
Dean said, “That decision, while difficult, in no way diminishes our friendship, nor does it reduce the strength and depth of our bilateral relationship. On the contrary, we remain fully committed to our partnership with Trinidad and Tobago and to making the process for applying for a visa as smooth, efficient, and accessible as possible. You are all welcome to the UK.”
On climate cooperation, Dean pointed to the UK’s support for the Green Climate Fund, noting a recent approval of US$24.1 million for adaptation projects in Belize and T&T to bolster hydro-meteorological systems and early warning capabilities.
He offered condolences to those affected by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and across the region.
He also noted a Memorandum of Understanding between UK Export Finance and Trinidad and Tobago that makes up to £5 billion available for financing in infrastructure, healthcare and national security, aligning with the government’s Revitalisation Agenda.
Also speaking at the function was Minster of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Sean Sobers.
