Washington/Kuwait, July 9, 2021 (TDI): The US Secretary of the United States, Antony J. Blinken communicated with the Foreign Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, today.
They talked about the bilateral relations of their states. They also exchanged views about the situation of regional security. The US secretary appreciated Kuwait’s assistance to COVAX. In their talk, they expressed the significance of the firm bilateral partnership of both states.
The Secretary and Foreign Minister discussed regional security and other issues important to the bilateral relationship. Secretary Blinken thanked the Foreign Minister for Kuwait’s generous support to COVAX and underscored the importance of the strong partnership with Kuwait.
United States and Kuwait Relations
The United States and Kuwait established relations in 1961 and there is a long history of friendship since then. In August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait and then the US led a multilateral coalition attack on Kuwait to end Iraqi occupation on Kuwait.
The United States has long interests in Kuwait and continued to support Kuwait over the years to build greater cooperation among the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. From 2003, Kuwait provided the main platform for U.S. and coalition operations in Iraq and has played a similar role in the fight against ISIS.
A member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, it hosts the headquarters of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.
Kuwait is also an important partner in U.S. counterterrorism efforts, including efforts to block the financing of terrorist groups.
U.S. Assistance to Kuwait
The United States provides no development assistance to Kuwait. The United States provides military and defense technical support to Kuwait through Foreign Military Sales as well as commercial sales. U.S. personnel assist the Kuwaiti military with training, education, and readiness.
The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait also provides support for English language education and professional development exchange programs.
US-Kuwait Bilateral Economic Relations
The United States signed trade and investment framework agreements with Kuwait in 2004 and with the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which Kuwait is a member, in 2012, providing a forum to address mutual trade concerns and economic reforms.
The United States is one of Kuwait’s largest suppliers of goods and services, and Kuwait is one of the United States’ largest markets in the Middle East.
While competing on price can be challenging, U.S. firms do have a competitive advantage when it comes to the provision of advanced technology, especially in the fields of oil field equipment and services, power generation and distribution, telecommunications systems, automobiles, certain other consumer goods, and military equipment.
Kuwait currently sends the third-largest number of students to U.S. universities and colleges from the Middle East/North Africa region and the 19th-largest number of students from any foreign country.
Kuwait’s Membership in International Organizations
Kuwait and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Kuwait is a participant in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Istanbul Cooperation Initiative.
For further information following links can be seen for research.
CIA World Factbook Kuwait Page
U.S. Embassy
History of U.S. Relations With Kuwait
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Country Page
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Library of Congress Country Studies
Travel Information
