HomeCountries & Areas…Germany hide Germany Subscribe View Fact Sheet Embassies & Consulates Bureau of European and Eurasian 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 Germany U.S.-Germany Relations Bilateral Economic Relations International Organizations U.S.-Germany Relations Following U.S. independence from Great Britain, the United States established the first Consulate on German soil in Hamburg in June 1790, and the second one in Bremen in 1794, both independent German states at the time. The United States established diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Prussia in 1797, then the German Empire in 1871. U.S.-German relations were terminated in Following U.S. independence from Great Britain, the United States established the first Consulate on German soil in Hamburg in June 1790, and the second one in Bremen in 1794, both independent German states at the time. The United States established diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Prussia in 1797, then the German Empire in 1871. U.S.-German relations were terminated in 1917 during World War I, and the United States declared war on Germany. Relations were reestablished in 1921 but were severed again in 1941 during World War II when Nazi Germany declared war on the United States. After the war, Germany, and its capital, Berlin, were divided into four zones occupied by Allied powers. In 1955, the United States established diplomatic relations with West Germany, which included the U.S., British, and French zones. The United States established diplomatic relations in 1974 with East Germany, which included the Soviet Union’s zone. West Germany and East Germany were unified in 1990. Collapse U.S.-Germany Relations Read more about U.S.-Germany Relations Bilateral Economic Relations EU Member States are collectively the United States’ biggest trading partner, and Germany, as Europe’s largest economy, is at the heart of that relationship. After China and the United States, Germany is the world’s third-largest exporter. Every fourth job in Germany depends on exports, which accounted for 47 percent of Germany’s GDP in 2019 (almost four times the export share EU Member States are collectively the United States’ biggest trading partner, and Germany, as Europe’s largest economy, is at the heart of that relationship. After China and the United States, Germany is the world’s third-largest exporter. Every fourth job in Germany depends on exports, which accounted for 47 percent of Germany’s GDP in 2019 (almost four times the export share of U.S. GDP). Collapse Bilateral Economic Relations Read more about Bilateral Economic Relations International Organizations Germany and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations in addition to those mentioned above, including the United Nations, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Germany also is an observer to the Organization of American States. 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 April 19, 2024 G7 Italy 2024 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Steadfast Support for Ukraine April 19, 2024 G7 Italy 2024 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Situation in the Middle East April 14, 2024 Secretary Blinken’s Call with UK Foreign Secretary Cameron and German Foreign Minister Baerbock April 11, 2024 Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Bitter Travels to Nicosia, Frankfurt, Bucharest, and Sofia April 9, 2024 Assistant Secretary Sison’s Travel to Berlin VIEW ALL NEWS Tags Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Germany