By Wazim Mowla
With the US election just a few months away, the US-Guyana relationship is sure to be impacted. Joe Biden and Donald Trump are likely to be the candidates come November (even a change in Democratic nominee will see a continuation of Biden’s policies). Since both have already served a first term, it sheds light on how a second term might look. Understanding the nuances of each potential president administration is essential to Guyana’s growth–as the United States is the country’s main trading partner and is a driver of foreign investment.
A second Biden term will benefit from policy continuity. Since his election, high level US representatives have routinely traveled to Guyana, yielding tangible benefits from increased investment and security cooperation. In part, this is because of Guyana’s growing status as an emerging oil and gas hub and the US embassy’s efforts to promote Guyana with their counterparts in Washington DC. And while there will be changes to Biden’s cabinet in a second term, relevant US agencies, such as the Departments of State and Commerce are acutely aware of how Guyana’s growth benefits US interests, meaning that high-level engagement will continue.