More information about Belgium is available on the Belgium Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
U.S.-BELGIUM RELATIONS
The United States established diplomatic relations with Belgium in 1832 following Belgium’s declaration of independence from the Netherlands. The United States and Belgium are good partners and NATO allies, maintaining a cooperative relationship on a number of foreign policy issues. The Belgian public holds goodwill and affection for Americans as a result of the U.S. role during and after the two World Wars, including Belgium’s liberation from Nazi Germany by British, Canadian, and U.S. forces in 1944. As an outward-looking nation, Belgium works closely with the United States bilaterally and in international and regional organizations to encourage economic and political cooperation and assistance to developing countries. The United States appreciates Belgian activism in international security operations, including its participation in the NATO Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, the EU Training Mission in Mali, and the Defeat-ISIS Coalition, in addition to its contributions to various other NATO missions. Belgium is also a key provider of humanitarian, reconstruction, and development assistance to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, as well as many countries in Africa. As the host country of the EU and NATO headquarters, Belgium plays an important role in European and Transatlantic diplomacy.
U.S. Assistance to Belgium
The United States provides no development assistance to Belgium.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Belgium is a member of the European Union (EU) and seeks to diversify and expand trade opportunities with non-EU countries. Belgium has welcomed hundreds of U.S. firms to its territory, many of which have their European headquarters there. U.S. companies are heavily represented in investments in the chemical sector, automotive assembly, petroleum refining, and pharmaceutical sectors. A number of U.S. service industries have followed in the wake of these investments-banks, law firms, public relations, accounting, and executive search firms. Belgium 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.
Belgium’s Membership in International Organizations
Belgium and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, NATO, 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. For the two year period of 2019-2020, Belgium is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Belgium also is an observer to the Organization of American States.
Bilateral Representation
Principal embassy officials are listed in the Department’s Key Officers List.
Belgium maintains an embassy in the United States at 1430 K St NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-333-6900).
More information about Belgium is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
CIA World Factbook Belgium Page
U.S. Embassy
History of U.S. Relations With Belgium
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
