Introduction by Ambassador
​​​​​​​Karin Olofsdotter

As Sweden’s Ambassador to the United States, 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 13th largest investor in the US. Trade flows between our countries are substantial, and the US is Sweden’s largest trade partner outside Europe.

In this fourth edition of “Sweden Creates Jobs in the United States,” I am encouraged to see that business and trade is continuously expanding between our countries. We have reached out to Swedish-affiliated companies all over the US to get updated numbers of how many jobs Swedish investments create in the US. Together with the jobs supported by US export to Sweden, the study finds, Sweden creates more than 367 000 jobs in the US, spread over all 50 states. With subcontractors and related services considered, the total number reaches almost one million jobs.

Innovation and sustainability are key to facing climate challenges, as well as to creating new business opportunities and jobs. Swedish companies are at the forefront of innovation and have a long tradition of finding sustainable solutions in their sectors. There is a great potential for further collaboration between Sweden and the US to find green solutions, innovations, and business opportunities to meet the climate challenges and goals.

As a member of the European Union, Sweden values the strong transatlantic partnership between the US and the EU. Being close allies and each other’s largest markets, this relationship is fundamental, and we look forward to strengthening it further.

Finally, I would like to emphasize the importance of the strong Team Sweden USA network. This study was made by the Embassy of Sweden in USA and the Consulate General of Sweden in New York together with the Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce of the USA and Business Sweden.