![Botswana [shutterstock]](https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Botswana-e1555938407588-2502x1406.jpg)
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December 18, 2020
U.S. Relations With Botswana
![Botswana [shutterstock]](https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Botswana-e1555938407588-2550x1300.jpg)
Highlights
May 23, 2014
U.S. Relationship
U.S. Botswana Relations
Botswana has consistently maintained a democratic government, responsibly managed its natural resources, and invested in its people and infrastructure. The bilateral relationship is strong and grounded in a shared commitment to democracy, good governance, and human rights. The U.S. and Botswana also share an interest in ensuring Botswana's continued success by deepening economic diversification and promoting regional economic growth and development.
U.S. Assistance to Botswana
U.S. assistance seeks to expand connections with Botswana's military leaders through various military education and training programs. Programs support Botswana's interest in strengthening both domestic and regional civil-military and military-to-military relations, while improving the country's capacity to participate meaningfully in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, including within the Southern African Development Community and throughout Africa.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Botswana is eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The country belongs to the Southern African Customs Union, which has signed a Trade, Investment, and Development Cooperative Agreement (TIDCA) with the U.S. The TIDCA establishes a forum for consultative discussions, cooperative work, and possible agreements on a wide range of trade issues, with a special focus on customs and trade facilitation, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and trade and investment promotion.
![Botswana Flag: light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center; the blue symbolizes water in the form of rain, while the black and white bands represent racial harmony. [CIA WorldFact Book]](https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/bc-lgflag.gif){kind=small}