A compelling editorial critique has emerged from Trinidad and Tobago, challenging the nation’s prevailing attitudes toward U.S. energy geopolitics under the Trump administration. The author, Gordon Laughlin, contends that while local media and CNN-driven narratives foster disdain for President Trump, this emotional approach overlooks transformative global energy realignments with direct implications for Caribbean nations.
The analysis highlights Trump’s strategic reshaping of global energy dynamics, noting how U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) has achieved market dominance through aggressive policies that pressure OPEC, intensify sanctions against Iran, and reconfigure global energy flows. These developments critically impact Trinidad and Tobago’s oil, gas, and manufacturing sectors, particularly the strategic industrial hub at Point Lisas.
Laughlin emphasizes the vulnerability of Trinidad’s economy to U.S. policy shifts, noting that a single sanction or diplomatic gesture could trigger economic instability. The commentary draws attention to Venezuela’s proximity and its vast oil reserves—a factor that further compounds regional energy security concerns.
The editorial employs the metaphor of ‘energy chess’ to illustrate Trump’s strategic maneuvering versus what it characterizes as Trinidad’s simplistic approach (‘playing all fours’). It calls for urgent geopolitical awareness, energy strategy reassessment, and independent analysis rather than reliance on American media narratives. The piece concludes with a stark warning: national survival depends on thinking critically about gas markets and geopolitical realities.