Tanzania–United States relations

Tanzania–United States relations are bilateral relations between Tanzania and the United States.

History

Much of the relationship between Tanzania and the United States has been framed first by the Cold War, and more recently in the context of US policies toward Africa and development. At times relations between the two countries have been tense, though in recent years the two countries have established a growing partnership.

Much early tension in the relationship is rooted in Tanzania's interests in promoting anti-colonial liberation forces in southern Africa, and the United States interests in protecting markets and business interests in Africa. These interests were often in conflict between 1961, and the late 1980s. Since the late 1980s, relations between the United States and Tanzania have improved as a result of mutual interests in debt relief, successive refugee crises, the liberation of southern African countries, and an improving Tanzanian economy (see Waters 2006).

Terrorists associated with Al Qaeda bombed the U.S. Embassies in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi, Kenya, on August 7, 1998. This act horrified Tanzanians and Americans alike and also drew condemnation from around the world. In the aftermath of the bombing, Tanzania began to receive financial aide from the US for anti-terrorist efforts and police training. President Benjamin Mkapa visited the U.S. in September 1999 with a delegation of business executives, reflecting the increased level of cooperation on trade and investment issues and Tanzania's commitment to economic liberalization.