Guyana

The other direction

What America sells to Guyana

$1.5B in 2025 — a trade rupture cuts both ways, for American producers as well as American prices.

Policy in motion

Tariff status: a moving target

U.S. tariff policy toward Guyana has changed 4 times since 2025. This page tracks it.

1. 2026-02-24

   IEEPA reciprocal tariffs terminated — replaced by 10% Section 122

   In effect

   Executive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions) terminated the IEEPA tariff duties effective February 24, 2026, replacing Guyana's 15% reciprocal rate with a 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge under Proclamation 11012 (capped at 150 days); the energy and mineral exemptions continue.

   91 FR 9437 →

2. 2025-08-07

   Rate reduced to 15%

   In effect

   Executive Order 14326 set the post-pause Annex I reciprocal rates; Guyana's rate was lowered from 38% to 15% effective August 7, 2025, with the oil, gold, and bauxite exemptions intact.

   90 FR 37963 →

3. 2025-04-10

   Elevated reciprocal rates paused to 10% for 90 days

   In effect

   Executive Order 14266 suspended the higher country-specific reciprocal rates — including Guyana's 38% — back to the 10% baseline for 90 days.

   90 FR 15625 →

4. 2025-04-05

   Reciprocal tariff regime begins — Guyana assigned 38% (oil, gold, bauxite exempt)

   In effect

   Executive Order 14257 imposed a 10% universal reciprocal duty effective April 5 and a 38% country-specific rate for Guyana scheduled to take effect April 9 — but crude petroleum, gold, and aluminum ore, about 90% of Guyana's U.S. exports, were carved out.

   90 FR 15041 →

Reference

The country itself

South America · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.

Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to former slaves settling urban areas and indentured servants being imported from India to work the sugar plantations. The resulting ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then primarily socialist-oriented governments have ruled the country. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. After his death five years later, his wife, Janet JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was elected in 2001 and again in 2006. Donald RAMOTAR won in 2011, but early elections held in 2015 resulted in the first change in governing party, and David GRANGER took office. After a 2018 no-confidence vote against the GRANGER government, the administration ignored a constitutional requirement to hold elections and remained in place until the 2020 elections, when Irfaan ALI became president. The discovery of massive offshore oil reserves in 2015 has been Guyana's primary economic and political focus, with many hoping the reserves will transform one of the poorest countries in the region. Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and shares cultural and historical bonds with the Anglophone Caribbean.