U.S. Relations With Poland
More information about Poland is available on the Poland Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
U.S.-POLAND RELATIONS
Poland is a stalwart ally in Central Europe and one of the United States’ strongest partners on the continent in fostering transatlantic security and prosperity regionally, throughout Europe, and the world. The United States and Poland partner closely on issues such as NATO capabilities, counterterrorism, nonproliferation, missile defense, human rights, economic growth and innovation, energy security, and regional cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe. Poland jointly hosts the NATO Multinational Corps Northeast in its territory, hosts a NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU) in its territory, will be a framework nation under the very high readiness joint task force (VJTF) in 2020, and hosted the 2016 NATO Summit in Warsaw. Poland has contributed to operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, and countering the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (C-ISIL). Poland hosts a U.S. aviation detachment and will host a ballistic missile defense site under the European Phased Adaptive Approach scheduled for completion in the 2018 timeframe. It will also host units from a rotational U.S. Armored Combat Brigade Team and a NATO enhanced Forward Presence battalion (with the United States as the framework partner). Poland facilitates numerous military exercises, and, in 2016, over 16,000 U.S. military personnel will have participated in exercises there under Operation Atlantic Resolve, Polish national exercise Anakonda 16, and other U.S. and NATO exercises. The strong U.S.-Poland relationship and shared commitment to freedom date back to the American Revolution, when Polish heroes such as Tadeusz Kosciuszko and Casimir Pulaski aided our cause. The United States established diplomatic relations with the newly formed Polish Republic in 1919. Poland was invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. A communist regime consolidated power in 1947 following the war and ended in 1989. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004.
U.S. Assistance to Poland
Poland graduated from USAID assistance in 2000 and capitalized on its successful transition experience to become a provider of assistance to other countries in the region. Poland is active in the EU’s Eastern Partnership and spearheaded the launch of the European Endowment for Democracy.
U.S. security assistance enhances Poland’s capability to meet its NATO obligations and to deploy and sustain professional forces in multilateral operations, often in support of U.S. deployments in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. The United States has also devoted substantial funds to enhance Polish military facilities and sustain the U.S. troop presence in Poland via the European Reassurance Initiative (ERI) in FY 16 and into FY 17.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Strong economic growth potential, a large domestic market, tariff-free access to the European Union (EU), and political stability are prime reasons that U.S. companies do business in Poland. Opportunities for trade and investment have attracted foreign investors into all sectors, and the United States is Poland's top non-EU investor. Poland is the leading trade partner of the United States in Central Europe. As an EU member, Poland applies the EU's common external tariff to goods from other countries, including the United States. The United States and Poland have signed a double taxation treaty, an agreement pursuant to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), and a bilateral treaty on business and economic relations which includes an investor-state dispute mechanism. The U.S. and Poland have a robust Economic and Commercial Dialogue and in 2014 jointly launched the U.S.-Poland Innovation Program (PLUS-IP), a public private partnership to benefit both countries by promoting innovation through U.S.-Polish joint ventures and joint research and development projects.
Poland's Membership in International Organizations
Poland and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Poland is an observer to the Organization of American States.
Bilateral Representation
The U.S. Ambassador to Poland is Paul W. Jones; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.
Poland maintains an embassy in the United States at 2640 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel. 202-234-3800).
More information about Poland is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
Department of State Poland Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Poland Page
U.S. Embassy: Poland
History of U.S. Relations With Poland
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Library of Congress Country Studies
Travel and Business Information