[3] Most of the routine diplomacy, and assistance in trade matters, was handled by the chargé d'affaires in Belgium: Hugh S. Legaré, 1832–36; Virgil Maxcy, 1837–42; Henry Washington Hilliard, 1842–44; and Thomas Green Clemson, 1844-51.

In 1884, Leopold II, the King of the Belgians, struck a deal with the major European powers present at the Berlin Conference, held between the states that would later take part in the Scramble for Africa.

Under Leopold's private control, widespread atrocities were committed against the native Africans living in the Congo Free State.

U.S. and Belgian soldiers fought together during the Siege of the International Legations in 1900, part of the larger Boxer Rebellion in China (1899-1901).

[6] By the end of the war, these organizations had accumulated a net surplus of $30 million in funds, which was used to improve Belgium's educational system.

[12] According to Pieter Lagrou, American policy after the Nazis were driven out focused on creating political stability and helping Allied military operations.

Washington and London were neutral on the Royal question, but US Ambassador Charles Sawyer mistrusted the king and the Catholic parties.

According to Frank Gerits, Washington used the diplomats at the embassy and especially the facilities of the United States Information Service (USIS) in the 1950s to support its Cold War strategy.

Belgium and the United States were ultimately successful in helping the oppressive, anti-communist regime of Joseph-Désiré Mobutu come to power.

During the January 17, 2006 visit by Prime Minister Verhofstadt, President Bush thanked him for his "leadership" in helping "the people of the Congo realize their full potential."

As an outward-looking nation, Belgium works closely with the United States bilaterally and in international and regional organizations to encourage economic and political cooperation and assistance to developing countries.

[18] The United States operates an embassy in Brussels while maintaining separate missions to the European Union and to NATO.