![Kuwait [Shutterstock]](https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Kuwait-2272x1406.jpg)
International Travel Information
What you need to know before you go: visas, Embassy & Consulate locations, vaccinations, etc.
International Travel Information: Learn MoreHighlights
May 21, 2019
March 23, 2019
U.S. Relationship
U.S.-Kuwait Relations
Since they established diplomatic relations upon Kuwait’s independence in 1961, the U.S. and Kuwait have enjoyed a long history of friendship and cooperation, rooted in shared values, democratic traditions, and institutions. From 2003, Kuwait provided the main platform for U.S. and coalition operations in Iraq, and later played a key role in facilitating the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops and associated equipment. Kuwait is an essential partner in the fight against Daesh. A member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, it hosts the headquarters of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve. Kuwait is also an important partner in U.S. counterterrorism efforts, including efforts to block financing of terrorist groups.
U.S. Assistance to Kuwait
The U.S. provides no development assistance to Kuwait. The United States provides military and defense technical support to Kuwait through Foreign Military Sales as well as commercial sales. U.S. personnel assist the Kuwait military with training, education, and readiness.
Bilateral Economic Relations
The U.S. and Kuwaiti governments have signed a trade and investment framework agreement, providing a forum to address mutual trade concerns and needed economic reforms. The U.S. is Kuwait's largest supplier of goods and services, and Kuwait is one of the United States’ largest markets in the Middle East. Provided their prices are reasonable, U.S. firms have a competitive advantage in many areas requiring advanced technology, such as oil field equipment and services, electric power generation and distribution equipment, telecommunications gear, consumer goods, and military equipment.
![Kuwait Flag: Three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side; colors and design are based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I; green represents fertile fields, white stands for purity, red denotes blood on Kuwaiti swords, black signifies the defeat of the enemy [CIA World Fact Book]](https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Kuwait-Flag.gif){kind=small}