HomeCountries & Areas…Eritrea hide Eritrea Subscribe View Fact Sheet Embassies & Consulates Bureau of African Affairs International Travel Information What you need to know before you go: visas, embassy & consulate locations, vaccinations, etc. International Travel Information: Learn More Current Travel Advisories Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution Learn More U.S. Relationship These are excerpts from the U.S. Relations With Eritrea U.S.-Eritrea Relations Bilateral Economic Relations International Organizations U.S.-Eritrea Relations The U.S. established diplomatic relations with Eritrea in 1993, following its independence and separation from Ethiopia. The U.S. supported Eritrea’s independence, but ongoing government detention of political dissidents and others, the closure of the independent press, limits on civil liberties, allegations of human rights abuses, and the expulsion of some U.S. government agencies have contributed to strained U.S.-Eritrean relations. U.S. The U.S. established diplomatic relations with Eritrea in 1993, following its independence and separation from Ethiopia. The U.S. supported Eritrea’s independence, but ongoing government detention of political dissidents and others, the closure of the independent press, limits on civil liberties, allegations of human rights abuses, and the expulsion of some U.S. government agencies have contributed to strained U.S.-Eritrean relations. U.S. interests in Eritrea include reconciling ongoing disputes with Ethiopia and Djibouti, urging progress toward a democratic political culture, citing and addressing human rights issues, promoting economic reform, and encouraging Eritrea to contribute to regional stability. Collapse U.S.-Eritrea Relations Read more about U.S.-Eritrea Relations Bilateral Economic Relations The Eritrean Government and ruling party control the economy. The U.S. and Eritrea have very little bilateral trade. Eritrea is a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, which has a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with the United States. International Organizations Eritrea is a member of the African Union, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and has observer status in the Arab League. Eritrea was a founding member of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), but suspended its membership in 2007. Integrated Country Strategies The Integrated Country Strategy is the four-year strategy articulating U.S. priorities in a given country. The Chief of Mission leads the strategy. View Integrated Country Strategies Investment Climate Statements The Investment Climate Statements analyze a variety of economies that are or could be markets for U.S. businesses and provide information on the business climates. View Investment Climate Statements Discover More 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report View all Department Reports and Publications Highlights January 4, 2024 Religious Freedom Designations December 12, 2023 23rd Anniversary of the Algiers Agreement between the Governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea November 2, 2023 1st Anniversary of Ethiopia’s Cessation of Hostilities Agreement July 19, 2023 Outcomes of the 53rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council May 24, 2023 Eritrean National Day VIEW ALL NEWS Tags Bureau of African Affairs Eritrea