GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – Today, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) and a bipartisan delegation of the Ways and Means Committee met with Guyanese President Dr. Mohamed Irfanan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. Chairman Smith shared his interest in growing America’s participation in Guyana’s energy production.

Guyana is experiencing a massive increase in offshore oil production, a trend that is expected to continue. Chairman Smith highlighted how America can lead the way in developing, extracting, and selling Guyanese oil and that this increasing production has the potential to greatly benefit both the United States and Guyana, and help thwart China’s attempts to achieve energy dominance.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Smith made the following statement after the delegation’s bilateral meeting with President Ali, Vice President Jagdeo, and cabinet officials:

“We appreciate the productive conversation the delegation had with President Dr. Ali about the American–Guyanese bilateral relationship. Guyana’s abundant energy resources have the potential to lift its people out of poverty, help power the world, and ensure more affordable energy for American families and job creators. China also is participating in Guyana’s oil production. America must be committed to outcompeting China around the world while strengthening key American supply chains, increasing U.S. production of affordable energy resources, and improving partnerships with allies in the Western Hemisphere and beyond. Our delegation’s meetings have shown how U.S. bilateral relationships in the region benefit American workers and provide a much-needed alternative to countries that might otherwise orient their economies toward China. An energy boom in Guyana can help American workers while also benefiting the people of Guyana and their economy.”