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U.S. Department of State

Diplomacy in Action

U.S. Relations With Bermuda


Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs
Fact Sheet
July 23, 2012

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More information about Bermuda is available from Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.

U.S.-BERMUDA RELATIONS

Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory with significant autonomy. U.S. policy toward the United Kingdom is the basis of U.S.-Bermuda relations. Bermuda has executed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement in a treaty between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Bermuda. The United States and the Government of Bermuda have signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, authorizing authorities in the U.S. and Bermuda to request and obtain assistance from each other in criminal investigations and prosecutions and related administrative and other proceedings. The treaty provides for cooperation between the U.S. and Bermuda in combating a wide variety of crimes, including economic crimes and money laundering, by facilitating the collection of evidence needed by authorities in one country but located within the other country. The U.S. Coast Guard provides search and rescue assistance to Bermuda as needed.

U.S. Assistance to Bermuda

The United States provides no foreign assistance to Bermuda.

Bilateral Economic Relations

The United States is Bermuda's principal trading partner. The economy is based primarily on international business and tourism. Bermuda is an important regional and global offshore financial center. It has large insurance and reinsurance sectors, with firms based in the jurisdiction writing significant volumes of business in the United States and United Kingdom. The government cooperates with the United States to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. An estimated 8,000 registered U.S. citizens live in Bermuda, many of them employed in the international business community. There also are a large number of American businesses incorporated in Bermuda. Areas of opportunity for U.S. investment are principally in the reinsurance and financial services industries. U.S. visitors are critical to the island's tourism industry.

Bermuda's Membership in International Organizations

The United Kingdom is formally responsible for Bermuda's foreign and defense policy.

Bilateral Representation

The U.S. Consul General in Bermuda is Grace W. Shelton; other principal officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.

The United Kingdom's embassy in the United States is at 3100 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008; tel: 202-588-6500.

More information about Bermuda is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Bermuda Page
U.S. Consulate General: Bermuda
Human Rights Reports (see United Kingdom)
International Religious Freedom Reports (see United Kingdom)
Trafficking in Persons Reports (see United Kingdom)
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Travel and Business Information



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