More information about the Netherlands is available on the Netherlands Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
U.S.-NETHERLANDS RELATIONS
The U.S. partnership with the Netherlands dates to the American Revolution, which the Netherlands supported. The United States established diplomatic relations with the Netherlands in 1782; one of our oldest, continuous bilateral relationships. The excellent bilateral relations are based on close historical and cultural ties as well as a common dedication to individual freedom and human rights. The United States and the Netherlands share similar positions on many important issues and work together both bilaterally and multilaterally in such institutions as the United Nations (UN) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
The Netherlands fought alongside the United States in the Korean War and the first Gulf War and has been active in global peacekeeping efforts in the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and more recently in Mali. The Netherlands played a leading role in the 1999 Kosovo air campaign. It has contributed to European Union (EU) peacekeeping forces in Bosnia. The Netherlands also supported and participated in NATO training efforts in Iraq, the EU and NATO police training efforts in Afghanistan, the 2011 NATO mission in Libya, and in both EU and NATO counter-piracy operations. The Netherlands participates in the NATO “smart defense" initiative, including missile defense. The Netherlands is a military contributor to the Counter-ISIL Coalition, and co-chair of the Coalition’s Foreign Terrorist Fighters Working Group. The Netherlands supports counterterrorism efforts with leadership, personnel, and materiel. It is a party to all 12 UN counterterrorism conventions. The Netherlands works closely with the United States and other countries on international programs against drug trafficking and organized crime.
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U.S. Assistance to the Netherlands
The United States provides no development assistance to the Netherlands.
Bilateral Economic Relations
The United States and the Netherlands share a liberal economic outlook and firm commitment to free trade. The Netherlands is a member of the EU and has worked with the United States at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to advance the shared goal of a more open, market-led global economy. The United States attaches great value to its strong economic and commercial ties with the Netherlands. The Netherlands is a receptive market for U.S. exports and an important investment partner. The Netherlands is one of the largest investors in the United States, supporting an estimated 700,000 jobs, and the eighth largest importer of U.S. goods. The United States is the largest foreign investor in the Netherlands ($711 billion in 2018) and has its second largest bilateral trade surplus in the world with this country ($21 billion in 2019). The Netherlands 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.
The Netherlands’s Membership in International Organizations
The Netherlands and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. The Netherlands is an observer to the Organization of American States.
Bilateral Representation
Principal embassy officials are listed in the Department’s Key Officers List.
The Netherlands maintains an embassy in the United States at 4200 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008; tel: 877-388-2443.
More information about the Netherlands is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
CIA World Factbook Netherlands Page
U.S. Embassy
History of U.S. Relations With the Netherlands
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Travel Information
Source: U.S Department of State, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs
