[4] The United States and the Netherlands work together both bilaterally and multilaterally in such institutions as the United Nations, World Trade Organization, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, as well as within the European Union to advance the shared US goal of a more open and market-led world economy and militarily in the context of the North Atlantic Treaty.

In the 18th century the Dutch republic supported the Thirteen Colonies during American Revolution from the outset as it was still embroiled in disputes with the British Empire over naval supremacy.

Dutch merchants sold many goods to the American rebels, which helped the Thirteen Colonies gain independence from the British Empire.

[13] Though the action was disavowed by the government of the Netherlands, on November 16, 1776, the fort at St. Eustatius gave the first formal salute (firing its guns nine times) to a ship flying the American flag.

Both operations were punitive expeditions, carried out against Chiefdom of Kuala Batee after the crews of U.S. merchant ships were massacred by the native Malays.

In 1861–63 the Lincoln administration looked abroad for places to relocate freed slaves who wanted to leave the United States.

The Dutch Resistance supplied intelligence and cooperated with the American effort to liberate Europe at the command of Queen Wilhelmina.

[22]In the post-war peace the U.S. was generous with Marshall Plan funds, designed to modernize Dutch technology and help it integrate into what became the European Union.

[23] With the Dutch American alliance for the first time taking on a decidedly military character, talks at the Pentagon in early 1948 laid the foundation for the North Atlantic Treaty.

In recognition of his earlier work in establishing the Western Union, Dwight D Eisenhower advocated for Dirk Uipko Stikker to become its third secretary general.

[26] Relations became tense in 1981 when United States President Ronald Reagan rejected détente and escalated the Cold War.

[27] In 1989 with tensions building in the lead up to the first Gulf War, the Netherlands joined the US led coalition against Iraq at the request of US secretary of state James Baker.

The Netherland and United States have been both held active roles in global peacekeeping efforts in the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Sinai Peninsula.

[citation needed] The bilateral relations between the two nations are based on historical and cultural ties as well as a common dedication to individual freedom and human rights.

The Netherlands is the third-largest direct foreign investor in the United States,[29] and the Dutch-American trade and investment relationship is supporting close to 625,000 American jobs[30] with Texas, California and Pennsylvania benefiting most from these economic ties.

The Dutch government's head of state Wim Kok issued a statement vowing to bring to justice any and all perpetrators of the attack at any cost.

[34] With the subsequent United States invasion of Afghanistan the Netherlands were active participants in the International Security Assistance Force and Operation Enduring Freedom.

[40] The appointment of Mark Rutte as Secretary General of NATO was favored by the United States president Joe Biden.