Swedish-US Relations

AMBASSADOR’S INTRODUCTION

As Sweden’s Ambassador to the United States(US), I am proud of the long-standing economic ties between our countries. Since the first Swedes arrived in the US in 1638, Swedish entrepreneurship and business have been an integral part of the US economy. Today Sweden is the 9th largest investor in the US, ahead of countries such as Australia and South Korea. Trade flows between our countries are substantial, and the US is Sweden’s largest trading partner outside Europe.

In this fifth edition of “Sweden Creates Jobs in the United States,” I am encouraged to see that business and trade continue to expand between our countries. Today, Sweden creates more than 379,000 jobs in the US, spread across all 50 states.

Innovation is key to creating new business opportunities and jobs. Swedish companies are at the forefront of innovation and have a track record of finding sustainable solutions in their respective sectors. Sweden, along with the US, consistently ranks at the top of the Global Innovation Index ranking.
Sweden values its strong transatlantic partnership with the US. As a member of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), we look forward to further deepening our friendship and collaboration, as we work together to address global security challenges, promote innovation and sustainability, and foster economic and technological advancements.

Urban Ahlin
Ambassador of Sweden to the United States

SWEDEN AND THE US: A PARTNERSHIP BUILT ON STRONG ECONOMIC TIES

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Swedish immigrants John Nordström and Carl Wallin establish Nordstrom, at first a shoe store, in Seattle.

Ericsson’s first sales office opens in the US. In 2020, Ericsson opens its first smart factory in Texas, which produces 5G base stations to help build the 5G network in the US.

Swedish immigrant Carl Eric Wickman starts transporting miners to and from work in Hibbing, Minnesota, and later, together with fellow Swede Andrew Anderson, starts the company that becomes known as the Greyhound Bus Company.

Swedish American businessman Curt L. Carlson starts the Gold Bond Stamp Company, pioneering loyalty programs in the retail sector. Carlson would later move into the hospitality industry and found Radisson Hotel Group and Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

The Swedish-made Hasselblad camera is the first camera to be used on the moon by NASA astronauts. The iconic first pictures, when the Apollo 11 mission successfully lands the Eagle on the moon in 1969, would be taken with a silver Hasselblad Data Camera.

IKEA opens its first US store in Philadelphia. In 2019, IKEA would open its first-ever US “city center” location in New York City—the IKEA Planning Studio. Today it has more than 50 stores across the US.

H&M opens its first US store, on Fifth Avenue in New York. Twenty years later, H&M would have more than 500 stores throughout the US.

Spotify, which is founded by Swedish nationals Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon, launches in the US. Today, Spotify is the world’s largest music-streaming platform by number of subscribers.

The Swedish company Fjällräven launches in the US and quickly becomes one of the fastest-growing brand names in outdoor and lifestyle. The iconic backpack “Kånken” can be seen on many American teenagers.

Skype opens its first American office in Palo Alto after its acquisition by Microsoft in 2011.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the medical-technology company Getinge provides life-saving ventilators and expert solutions to American hospitals and life-science institutions.

Einride—the world’s leading provider of digital, electric, and autonomous shipping technology—launches in the US. Einride was founded in 2016, and in 2019 became the first company in the world to operate an autonomous, electric freight vehicle on a public road.

LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B, which was redeveloped by Skanska, is named the best new airport terminal in the world and is the first airport terminal in North America to receive a five-star rating by the international transport-rating organization Skytrax.

Buy-now-pay-later fintech Klarna's $1.4bn float marked the largest venture capital-backed IPO in the US. Klarna is the largest Swedish company to list its shares in the U.S. since music streaming giant Spotify in 2018.