The United States and the Dominican Republic share a strong partnership based on democratic values and historic, shared bonds of friendship and community. The United States established diplomatic relations with the Dominican Republic in 1884. U.S. relations with the Dominican Republic are productive and wide-ranging.
The Dominican Republic is an important partner in Caribbean and hemispheric affairs due to its large economy, significant bilateral trade with the United States, and proximity to the United States. The two governments cooperate in combating trafficking in illegal substances and persons, extraditing fugitives, and hindering irregular migration.
The Dominican Republic has experienced robust economic growth over the past 25 years, with one of the strongest economic recoveries in the region since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to an October 2023 World Bank report, growth of the Dominican economy was expected to slow from 4.9 percent in 2022 to 3.1 percent in 2023. Despite a falling poverty rate, income inequality remains high, presenting obstacles such as uneven education quality, inadequate health system response, and severe inefficiencies in the energy sector. Efforts to address corruption continue, with improving transparency being a priority to consolidate democratic gains. The U.S. government collaborates with Dominican authorities and local and international partners to strengthen institutional and technical capacity.
U.S. assistance helps build accountable institutions that better serve Dominicans while strengthening democratic governance. As a leading foreign investor, U.S. businesses benefit from improved conditions created by this assistance. As one of 13 Caribbean partners under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), the Dominican Republic benefits from U.S. aid focused on disrupting illicit trafficking, strengthening citizen security, combating corruption, and preventing youth crime and violence.
The United States supports advancing shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and labor rights through various programs stimulating income generation for women, youth, small businesses, rural communities; promoting English language learning; increasing educational opportunities; improving environmental protection; enabling ecological tourism; and enhancing health and education services.
In terms of bilateral economic relations, both countries work together through initiatives like the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity launched by President Biden in 2023 alongside regional partners. They are also parties to CAFTA-DR which has created new economic opportunities by eliminating tariffs and opening markets.
A historic Open Skies Agreement signed on August 2, 2024 will expand economic partnerships between airlines and travel companies from both nations. Additionally, financial support includes a $200 million direct loan from Development Finance Corporation to Banco Popular Dominicano for small businesses and women entrepreneurs along with a $42 million loan portfolio guarantee with Banco de Reservas aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs especially in underserved areas while promoting climate adaptation.
Both nations are members of several international organizations including the United Nations and Organization of American States among others. At the Ninth Summit of the Americas held in 2022 they pledged commitments on health resilience sustainability digital transformation clean energy transition democratic governance ahead of Tenth Summit scheduled for Punta Cana in 2025.
