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

U.S.-SWEDEN RELATIONS

Relations between the United States and Sweden are built on a shared heritage that dates back to 1638 when the first Swedish immigrants arrived on the shores of Delaware. Sweden was one of the first countries to recognize U.S. independence in 1783 and the two countries have maintained a strong bilateral friendship since then, based on shared values and mutual interests. Sweden is an Enhanced Opportunities Partner (EOP) of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and plays an active leadership role on the international stage, from its long-term investments in Afghanistan to its role as a global peacemaker. Sweden is also a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, participates in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and serves as the United States’ protecting power in North Korea. Sweden’s commitment to promoting global democracy, human rights, gender equality, and international development and sustainability makes it a respected moral leader in international affairs. As one of the largest donors of humanitarian assistance, Sweden gives approximately one percent of its Gross National Product annually and is one of USAID’s most important bilateral partners. In this vein, Sweden has advanced as a global leader in prioritizing gender equality in its development assistance. Sweden remains a vocal supporter of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and partners with the United States to promote stability in the Baltic Sea region and sustain transatlantic security.

U.S. Assistance to Sweden

The United States provides no development assistance to Sweden.

Bilateral Economic Relations

Sweden is a member of the European Union (EU). 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.

Sweden is highly dependent on exports, is strongly pro-free trade, and has one of the most internationally integrated economies in the world. The government has been expanding its export base away from the traditionally European market, seeking to grow in Asia, South America, and the United States, but the bulk of Sweden’s exports still remains within the EU. The United States and Sweden’s two way trade for 2019 is $25.5 billon (including trade in goods and services). Sweden and the U.S. invest over $94 billion in each other’s economies. Sweden is the 13th largest investor in the U.S. and one of the largest investors on a per capital basis, investing $61.3 billion and supporting over 200,000 U.S. jobs.

Combined with a well-educated labor force, outstanding infrastructure, and a stable political environment, Sweden has become more competitive as a choice for U.S. and foreign companies establishing a presence in the Nordic region.

Sweden participates in the Visa Waiver Program, which allows nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for certain business or tourism purposes for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.

Sweden’s Membership in International Organizations

Sweden and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, the Arctic Council, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe — which Sweden chairs in 2021, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, International Monetary Fund, International Atomic Energy Agency, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Sweden also is an observer to the Organization of American States and a participant in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Enhanced Opportunities Partner (EOP) program.

Bilateral Representation

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

Sweden maintains an embassy  in the United States at 2900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 (telephone: 202-467-2600).

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

CIA World Factbook Sweden Page 
U.S. Embassy
History of U.S. Relations With Sweden
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics 
Export.gov International Offices Page 
Travel Information

U.S. Department of State

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