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EU relations with the United States
The EU-US partnership is founded on shared values and on the world's most extensive bilateral trade and investment relationship.
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Trade and investment
Energy
Shared values, peace, and stability
Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine
People-to-people cooperation
Trade and investment
EU-US trade
The transatlantic relationship is a key artery of the world economy. Together, the European Union and the US represent almost 30% of global trade in goods and services and 43% of global GDP (expressed in USD). The EU and the US have the world's most integrated economic relationship.
2023 was another record year, with bilateral trade in goods and services reaching €1.6 trillion. This is more than the entire Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Spain. Every day, goods and services worth more than €4.4 billion cross the Atlantic.
The EU had a trade surplus with the US of €48 billion in 2023, taking into account both goods and services
€1.6
trillion
trade in goods and services in 2023
Evolution of transatlantic trade (2013-2023)
Text version
EU trade legislation
EU-US trade: facts and figures
EU-US trade: facts and figures
Investments
Mutual EU and US investments are the largest in the world and are a substantial driver of the transatlantic relationship. In 2022, mutual foreign direct investments (FDIs) in stocks exceeded €5.3 trillion. This is more than the entire economy of France and Italy combined. Almost one third of the EU's FDIs are either in or from the US.
€5.3
trillion
EU-US foreign direct investment stocks in 2022
Total US investment in the EU is four times higher than in the Asia-Pacific region. EU foreign direct investment in the US is around ten times the amount of EU investment in India and China put together.
Bilateral trade and investment support millions of jobs in the EU and the United States. US exports of goods and services to the EU support 2.3 million jobs in the US, and EU companies' investments in the US employ 3.4 million people.
2.3
million
jobs in the US supported by exports to the EU
3.4
million
people employed by EU companies' investments in the US
Energy
Close transatlantic cooperation played a crucial role in ensuring the EU's energy security after Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU has replaced some of Russia's gas imports with US liquefied natural gas (LNG).
In 2024, the EU imported over 45 billion cubic meters (bcm) of LNG from US. This amounts to 16.5% of total EU gas imports and almost 45% of LNG imports.
EU imports of gas
Text version
Both transatlantic partners cooperate within the EU-US Energy Council, a forum for coordination on strategic energy issues of mutual interest and for cooperation on research and development.
Established in 2009, the Council works on energy security, technology and markets, and also promotes research and development, innovation and deployment in related fields. The Energy Council has also facilitated yearly business-to-business meetings focusing on various aspects of the energy market.
Where does the EU’s gas come from?
Energy prices and security of supply
Shared values, peace, and stability
The EU and US together represent nearly 800 million people, who all have a strong stake in a peaceful and prosperous world. Both the EU and the US are committed to upholding the UN Charter, and to ensuring global prosperity and stability.
The EU and the US share a responsibility for promoting common values, including democracy, peace, freedom and the rule of law. They work together to protect and promote human rights and strengthen the rules-based international order.
The EU and the US have invested $600 billion worldwide via the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, including through the EU’s Global Gateway.
The EU and the US work together to tackle global security challenges such as terrorism, violent extremism, nuclear weapons proliferation and transnational crime. They also mantain ever-closer security and defence ties.
Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine
Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is not only a European problem. It also constitutes a challenge to the rules-based international order. The EU and the US are supporting Ukraine and its people and are taking steps to isolate Russia internationally.
Solidarity with Ukraine
The EU stands firmly with Ukraine and its people, and will continue providing political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support for as long as it takes.
The EU and the US are united in supporting Ukraine in all areas, including military assistance, security commitments, diplomacy, efforts for peace, and reconstruction and reforms.
Since the start of Russia's war of aggression, the EU and its member states have provided almost €146.9 billion in support for Ukraine and its people.
€146.9
billion
provided by the EU and its member states
US solidarity with Ukraine (US government)
EU solidarity with Ukraine
EU solidarity with Ukraine
Sanctions against Russia
The EU, the US and other like-minded partners have imposed massive and unprecedented sanctions against Russia in response to the military aggression against Ukraine.
The measures are designed to weaken Russia's economic base, deprive it of critical technologies and markets and significantly curtail its ability to wage war.
EU sanctions target Russia’s financial, trade, energy, transport, technology and defence sectors, as well as services provided to Russia or to Russian nationals. They also target individuals and entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
Individuals sanctioned include Vladmir Putin, ministers, governors and local politicians, members of the Russian State Duma and of the Russian Security Council, propagandists, high-ranking officials and military personnel.
At global level, the EU and the US play a leading role in triggering new sanctions against Russia. The coordination of sanctions between the EU, the US and other like-minded partners, such as the G7 group, increases their efficiency.
EU sanctions against Russia
US sanctions against Russia (US government)
People-to-people cooperation
The EU and the US foster a number of people-to-people exchanges and academic programmes, including:
Erasmus+ and Erasmus Mundus
Jean Monnet actions
Marie Skłodowska-Curie grants
the Fulbright-Schuman programme
the EU visitors programme
the EU-US emerging leaders visitors' programme
See also
European Union - United States relations (European External Action Service)
Delegation of the European Union to the United States of America (European External Action Service)
EU trade relations with the United States (European Commission)
Topics
Foreign affairs
Trade
Russia's war against Ukraine
Americas
Last review: 9 April 2025
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