The US Commercial Service -
Keeping the momentum moving forward

Dorothy L Lutter, Senior Commercial Officer, US Commercial Service, looks at why the US and UK’s unparalled partnership in trade and investment is important for continued recovery

The US and the UK enjoy an unparalleled partnership in trade and investment. Our partnership in investment, measured by our total bilateral investment stock, exceeds $875 billion. US direct investment in the UK, valued at over $420 billion, represents about 13% of all US foreign direct investment (FDI) globally and one-third of US FDI in Europe. Valued at an estimated $455 billion, UK direct investment in the US represents approximately 20% of all FDI in the US.

Over the years, over two million jobs, about one million in each country, have been created to manage and drive this flow of investment, which also fuels our important trading relationship.

With total bilateral trade in goods and services valued over $200 billion, the US–UK trade relationship is one of the largest in the world. However, with the effects of the financial crisis, our trade in goods alone decreased by 17% in 2009.

As our economies continue to recover, the fundamental strength and synergistic nature of our bilateral trade is an important factor that will support future growth, particularly, in R&D-based, high-tech sectors that represent opportunities for strategic partnerships and growing markets in both our countries. While our governments continue to undertake measures to reinvigorate our economies and create new jobs, it is important to do all that we can to keep the momentum of trade and investment moving forward.

In that spirit, the US Commercial Service in the UK is proud of our ongoing relationship with BritishAmerican Business, and we look forward to continuing this close co-operation in support of our mutual trade and investment goals.

For more information on the US Commercial Service, contact:
American Embassy
US Commercial Service
24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 1AE
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7894 0419
E-mail: London.Office.Box@NoSPAM.mail.doc.gov
Website: www.usembassy.org.uk

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