History of United States diplomatic relations by country

This is a summary history of diplomatic relations of the United States listed by country. The history of diplomatic relations of the United States began with the appointment of Benjamin Franklin as U.S. Minister to France in 1778, even before the U.S. had won its independence from Great Britain in 1783.

The information is drawn from official records of the United States Department of State. This history encompasses the following information for each nation that the United States has recognized, or with which the U.S. has had diplomatic relations: Country name Date of establishment of a consulate in that country, or date of appointment of a consul. Date on which the U.S. recognized the country. Date of establishment of diplomatic relations with the country. This is often, but not always, the date of appointment of the first minister or ambassador. The date on which a legation or embassy was established in the country. The name of the first minister or ambassador to the country. In many cases, a chargé d’affaires was appointed first and represented the U.S. until an envoy was commissioned. The date on which diplomatic relations ended between the U.S. and the country. Additional notes on U.S. diplomatic relations with the country.

Countries

Afghanistan

Consulate: Recognized: 1921 Relations established: 1935 Legation/embassy established: 1942; embassy established in 1946 First ambassador: William Harrison Hornibrook Relations ended: — Notes: U.S. Ambassador Adolph Dubs was assassinated in 1979. The U.S. Embassy at Kabul was closed on January 30, 1989, due to concerns that the new regime would not be able protect diplomats after the Soviet withdrawal. Following the ouster of the Taliban, the embassy was reopened in January 2002 with Ryan Crocker as ambassador.

Albania (1) Consulate: Recognized: 1922 Relations established: 1922 Legation/embassy established: 1922 First ambassador: Ulysses Grant-Smith Relations ended: 1939 Notes: U.S.–Albanian diplomatic relations ended on June 5, 1939, after the Italian invasion of Albania, when the Albanian Minister for Foreign Affairs notified the American Minister in Albania that Italy had taken control of Albania's foreign affairs.

Albania (2) Consulate: Recognized: 1991 Relations established: 1991 Legation/embassy established: 1991 First ambassador: William Edwin Ryerson Relations ended: —

Algeria

Consulate: 1796

Recognized: 1962

Relations established: 1962

Legation/embassy established: 1962

First ambassador: William J. Porter

Relations ended: —

Notes: Algeria severed diplomatic relations with the U.S. in 1967 in the wake of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. A U.S. Interests Section was established in the Swiss Embassy. Relations were reestablished in 1974.

Andorra

Consulate: Recognized: 1995 Relations established: 1995 Legation/embassy established: — First ambassador: Edward L. Romero (1998) Relations ended: — Notes: The U.S. Ambassador to Spain is also accredited to Andorra while resident in Madrid. There is no U.S. embassy in Andorra.

Angola

Consulate: 1992

Recognized: 1993

Relations established: 1994

Legation/embassy established: 1994

First ambassador: Edmund T. DeJarnette

Relations ended: —

Notes: Angola became independent of Portugal in 1975, but the U.S. did not recognize the government of Angola declared by the MPLA. The U.S. recognized Angola after multiparty elections were held in 1992.

Antigua and Barbuda

Consulate: Recognized: 1981 Relations established: 1981 Legation/embassy established: 1981 First ambassador: Milan D. Bish Relations ended: — Notes: The American Embassy at St. Johns was closed June 30, 1994. Subsequent ambassadors to Antigua and Barbuda remained resident at Bridgetown, Barbados.

Arab Federation

Consulate: Recognized: 1958 Relations established: — Legation/embassy established: — First ambassador: — Relations ended: 1958 Notes: The Arab Federation was a short-lived union between Iraq and Jordan, that lasted February 14 – August 2, 1958. The U.S. recognized the federation but never established diplomatic relations.

Argentina

Consulate: Recognized: 1823 Relations established: 1823 Legation/embassy established: 1823 First ambassador: Caesar Augustus Rodney Relations ended: — Notes: Diplomatic relations were interrupted in 1944 and resumed in 1945.