The government of Guyana is striving to maintain a good relationship with both the United States and China, despite tensions between the two global powers. China has been increasing its influence in the Caribbean, including Guyana, through investments, loans, and grants, while the US has expressed concerns about China’s expanding presence in the region and its potential threat to US interests.
China has signed deals with ten Caribbean countries, including Guyana, to collaborate on various projects in agriculture, energy, mining, transportation, and telecommunications. In 2021, trade between Guyana and China surged by 123% to US$710 million, with China becoming Guyana’s largest trading partner. China has invested over US$3 billion in Guyana, primarily in the oil and gas sector, which has contributed to Guyana’s position as the world’s fastest-growing economy. Additionally, China has funded and built various infrastructure projects such as roads, hotels, airports, ferries, water plants, and broadband networks in Guyana.
Despite the economic benefits of its relationship with China, Guyana’s growing dependence on China may come at a cost to its relationship with the US. The US has accused China of engaging in predatory lending practices, violating human rights and environmental standards, and undermining democratic governance in the region.
One incident that highlighted the potential tensions in managing the Guyana-China relationship occurred when Guyana abruptly terminated an agreement with Taiwan to open a local office, hours after China urged Georgetown to “correct their mistake.” According to a Reuters report, Taiwan’s foreign ministry earlier stated that it had signed an agreement with Guyana on Jan. 11 to open a Taiwan office, effectively a de facto embassy for the island that China claims as its sovereign territory with no right to diplomatic ties.
Although, the U.S. also does not support Taiwan independence, they have been clear that its decision to establish diplomatic relations with the PRC in 1979 rested on the expectation that “the future of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means,” as stipulated in the Taiwan Relations Act. According to the US State Department, the US does not take a position on Taiwan’s sovereignty.
A more recent issue involving the two powerful nations and Guyana resulted in the confiscation of a Guyanese government official’s phone while she was en route to China. The Permanent Secretary for Guyana’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Mae Toussaint Thomas, was detained by the United States Customs and Border Protection Officers at the Miami International Airport for questioning and had her phone seized over three weeks ago. However, she has not released any statement about the incident, which allegedly involved her being handcuffed, and having her US Visa revoked. On April 8, while she was traveling to China for official government business through a US airport, Thomas was interrogated. She returned to Guyana on April 22, but has not made any statement about the incident yet.
It is clear that Guyana is intent on managing strong relationships with both nations while balancing its national interests and respecting international norms. Political commentators suggest that dialogue and cooperation between Guyana, China, and the US are necessary to address common challenges and opportunities in the region. Recently, the government of Guyana hosted the ambassadors of the ABC countries and the Chinese diplomats in separate events and within 48 hours, signaling a pragmatic approach to balancing its relationships with the US and China.
