United States ambassador nominee Jennifer Johnson-Carroll has raised concerns about Trinidad and Tobago’s states of emergency, saying that, if confirmed, she will pursue “strategic goals” to help tackle the country’s crime problem.On June 2, 2026, US President Donald Trump nominated Johnson-Carroll as ambassador.She appeared before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee for her confirmation hearing on July 30, 2026, where she outlined her priorities, including strengthening security cooperation, expanding trade and investment, combating transnational crime, and deepening the bilateral relationship with Trinidad and Tobago.Following the hearing, her nomination must be voted on by the full US Senate before she can be confirmed and sworn into office. She had not yet been confirmed as of yesterday.Responding to questions from the committee’s chairman, Johnson-Carroll said that, right now, the United States is experiencing a “good relationship” with Trinidad and Tobago, in that the country has been very supportive of the Caribbean Basin Initiative.She said T&T recognises it has a porous border and needs resources to curtail illicit human trafficking and narco-terrorists.She said there is also an “issue” with respect to energy production. She added that the United States is committed to moving forward with a licence that has been accepted for a sector in the Caribbean area between T&T and Venezuela.She said this will also help the US increase direct support for business opportunities.Asked about the stability of the Government, she said she could not speak to that yet.She said if confirmed she will be able to go to the region and have more dialogue with the Government to find out more.“But I do know that they have had several emergency orders which doesn’t bode well with regards to the criminal activities that have been occurring for a number of years,” she added.She said this is something that needs to be addressed and, hopefully, if confirmed, with her direction on the ground she would be able to share information with the Trump administration and the Committee and come up with “some strategic goals to help in that endeavour”.Deep connectionto T&TIn her opening statement, Johnson-Carroll said the nomination holds special personal meaning for her as she was born in Port of Spain and immigrated to the United States at the age of eight.She said she carried a deep connection to Trinidad and Tobago throughout her life and career.Johnson-Carroll noted that she has also committed her life to service to the United States. As a Navy veteran who rose from an enlisted jet mechanic to retire as a lieutenant commander after 20 years of service, and later served as Florida’s 18th Lieutenant Governor, she said she dedicated her career to strengthening America’s security and economic interests.Johnson-Carroll said as Lieutenant Governor, she led successful trade missions to Trinidad and Tobago and other nations, generating over US$70 million in new trade for Florida businesses and “will draw directly from these experiences in this role”.She said if confirmed, she will focus her efforts on four priorities central to strengthening the US-Trinidad and Tobago relationship and advancing American interests and President Trump’s vision in the Western Hemisphere.First, she said her most important priority will be to ensure the safety and security of American citizens residing in Trinidad and Tobago, including the thousands who travel to T&T each year for business and tourism.Secondly, she said economic security and prosperity are critical to both countries.She said she will promote American exports, market opportunities and trade that generate commercial wins for US businesses while helping Trinidad and Tobago build a resilient, diversified economy, positioning the United States as the key partner for its economic growth and competitiveness.Mutuallybeneficial tiesJohnson-Carroll said she will advance US economic strength by promoting fair trade, American investment and energy security that benefit US workers and industry, while building mutually beneficial ties with this resource-rich Caribbean partner.“Recognising that economic and security interests are deeply intertwined, I will work closely with Trinbagonian officials to deepen our security partnership, building off our shared cooperation including through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative,” she said.She said as a founding member of the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition and the Shield of the Americas, Trinidad and Tobago is a regional leader on security and a strong partner in the fight against transnational organised crime. If confirmed, she is committed to working with Trinidad and Tobago to stop illicit narco-trafficking that corrupts the lives and livelihoods of both our citizens.She further pledged to champion American sovereignty and independence, ensuring US engagement with Trinidad and Tobago serves the US’ national interests first and reinforces the nation’s right to control its own borders, resources and decision-making.Johnson-Carroll said she is committed to supporting enhanced border security and regional migration cooperation, working with T&T authorities to prevent illegal immigration and ensure orderly, lawful movement of people throughout the Caribbean.“Together, these priorities reflect this administration’s commitment to a safe, secure, and more prosperous Western Hemisphere,” she said.