More information about Finland is available on the Finland Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.

U.S.-FINLAND RELATIONS

The United States established diplomatic relations with Finland in 1919, following its 1917 declaration of independence from the Russian Empire. The United States severed diplomatic relations with Finland in 1944 during World War II, when Finland and Nazi Germany fought as co-belligerents against the USSR. U.S.-Finland diplomatic relations were reestablished in 1945. Finland is bordered on the east by Russia and, as one of the Soviet Union’s neighbors, was of particular interest and importance to the United States both during and after the Cold War. Before the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, longstanding U.S. policy was to support Finnish nonalignment while maintaining and reinforcing Finland’s historic, cultural, and economic ties with the West.

The United States and Finland enjoy an enduring partnership and friendship. Finland contributes to the advancement of technology and research, promotion of international economic development, and the defense of human rights and peace.  Finland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Partnership for Peace program in 1994 and was designated a NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner at the 2014 Wales Summit. It became a full member of the European Union (EU) in 1995 and joined the EU’s Economic and Monetary Union in 1999.  The United States and Finland signed a bilateral Statement of Intent (SOI) on defense cooperation in 2016 and Finland and Sweden signed a trilateral SOI on defense cooperation with the United States in 2018.  Finland partners with the United States in the Counter ISIL Coalition.

U.S. Assistance to Finland

The United States provides no development assistance to Finland.

Bilateral Economic Relations

Finland welcomes foreign investment. Exports from the United States to Finland include chemicals, electronics, machinery, instruments and apparatus, road vehicles and transport equipment, coal, medical equipment, food and beverages, metals and metal products, crude minerals, and metalliferous ores. Imports from Finland to the United States include machinery, paper and paperboard, instruments and apparatuses, chemicals, electronics, metals and metal products, petroleum and petroleum products, and road vehicles and transport equipment.

Finland is a member of the European Union. The U.S. economic relationship with the EU is the largest and most complex in the world, and the United States and the EU continue to pursue initiatives to create new opportunities for transatlantic commerce.

Finland’s Membership in International Organizations

Finland and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, the Arctic Council, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization. Finland also is an observer to the Organization of American States and is a NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner.

Bilateral Representation

Principal embassy officials are listed in the Department’s Key Officers List.

Finland maintains an embassy in the United States at 3301 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008; tel: 202-298-5800.

More information about Finland is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

CIA World Factbook Finland Page  
U.S. Embassy
History of U.S. Relations With Finland
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Library of Congress Country Studies
Travel Information

U.S. Department of State

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