United States and Poland
The US military presence and the security of Europe's eastern flank are central issues. A bilateral agreement regulates cooperation conditions, and the facilities also fit within the NATO framework. Trade, investment and education connect the economies and societies beyond military deployments.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-07 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07What the EDCA organises
The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement signed on 15 August 2020 organises expanded military cooperation and the conditions of the US presence in Poland.
An operational capability with its own date
The inauguration of Redzikowo provides a specific milestone following the EDCA.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 28,357.8 M USD | 2025 · Census |
| Goods: United States to Poland | 14,304.5 M USD | 2025 · Census |
| Goods: Poland to United States | 14,053.3 M USD | 2025 · Census |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: United States to Poland | 0.66 % | 2025 · Census |
| Export share: Poland to United States | ||
| Investment stock: United States in Poland | 14,892 M USDBEA est. | 2025 · BEA |
| Investment stock: Poland in United States | 485 M USDBEA est. | 2025 · BEA |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · Goods, January–December 2025, United States reporter. Not services or affiliate production.
- Goods: United States to Poland
- 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · Goods, January–December 2025, United States reporter. Not services or affiliate production.
- Goods: Poland to United States
- 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · Goods, January–December 2025, United States reporter. Not services or affiliate production.
- Export share: United States to Poland
- 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · U.S. Census Bureau (other direction) · US goods exports to the partner / US goods exports to the world; same year and reporter.
- Investment stock: United States in Poland
- 2025 · BEA · Direct investment position at historical cost; immediate counterparty. Not portfolio investment or announced commitments. Published negative values are retained.
- Investment stock: Poland in United States
- 2025 · BEA · Direct investment position at historical cost; immediate counterparty. Not portfolio investment or announced commitments. Published negative values are retained.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
| Indicator | United States | Poland |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 30.77 trillion USD2025 · WB | 1.04 trillion USD2025 · World Bank |
| GDP per capita | 90,026.52 USD2025 · WB | 28,419.58 USD2025 · World Bank |
| GDP growth | 2.16 %2025 · WB | 3.57 %2025 · World Bank |
| Policy interest rate | 3.75–4 %2026-09-16 · Fed | |
| Inflation · annual average | 2.7 %IMF est.Annual average · 2025 · IMF | 3.81 %Annual average · 2025 · World Bank |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 3.4 %Year-on-year · Aug. 2026 · BLS | |
| Unemployment | 4.2 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 2.98 %ILO est.2025 · World Bank |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -6.8 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -7 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 123.9 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 58.8 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | -3.63 %2025 · WB | -0.87 %2025 · World Bank |
| Population | 341,784,8572025 · WB | 36,435,8612025 · World Bank |
| Area | 9,831,510 km²2023 · BM / FAO | 313,930 km²2023 · World Bank |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDUnited States: 2025 · World BankPoland: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personUnited States: 2025 · World BankPoland: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)United States: 2025 · World BankPoland: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)United States: 2026-09-16 · Federal funds target range · Federal Reserve
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)United States: 2025 · Average annual change in headline CPI (%) · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · WEO estimate; not the year-on-year change for December or August 2026. · Alternative official source; verified 2026-10-07Poland: 2025 · Annual average change in CPI (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency statedUnited States: 2026-08 · Headline CPI change relative to the same month of the previous year (%) · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Published: 2026-09-11 · Headline year-on-year CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted; not monthly or core inflation.
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionUnited States: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.Poland: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate, percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)United States: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Poland: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO general-government estimate. Retains the source’s fiscal year when it differs from the calendar year.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)United States: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Poland: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO general-government estimate. Retains the source’s fiscal year when it differs from the calendar year.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPUnited States: 2025 · World BankPoland: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Population
- PeopleUnited States: 2025 · World BankPoland: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date. Extrapolated assuming the same growth rate as the previous 6 months.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceUnited States: 2023 · Total area including inland waters; territorial coverage of the source · World Bank · FAOPoland: 2023 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
United States to Poland
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Mineral fuels and oils | 2,607.8 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 1,686.8 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 1,417.3 M USD2025 · Source |
| Land vehicles and components | 1,383.7 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 43.3 M USD2025 · Source |
Poland to United States
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 4,197.6 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 2,358.4 M USD2025 · Source |
| Land vehicles and components | 695.3 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 52.2 M USD2025 · Source |
| Mineral fuels and oils | 22.1 M USD2025 · Source |
How trade has changed
Billions of current USD · full calendar years
View chart figures
| Period | Total | United States to Poland | Poland to United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,599.5 | 5,855.5 | 9,744 |
| 2022 | 23,310.4 | 11,461.6 | 11,848.8 |
| 2023 | 24,158.4 | 11,022 | 13,136.4 |
| 2024 | 25,790 | 12,144.7 | 13,645.3 |
| 2025 | 28,357.8 | 14,304.5 | 14,053.3 |
Connections between people
Education, visits and professional activity offer another perspective on the relationship. Visitors are not treated as residents or military personnel. [1]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from United States living in Poland | ||
| Residents from Poland living in United States | ||
| Study and training: United States in Poland | ||
| Study and training: Poland in United StatesStudy and OPT training in the United States | 1,809 | 2024/25 · IIE / Open Doors |
| Academic stays: United States in PolandU.S. study-abroad stays carrying academic credit | 688 | 2023/24 · IIE / Open Doors |
| Academic stays: Poland in United States | ||
| Travel: United States to Poland | ||
| Travel: Poland to United StatesCountry of residence; international arrivals in the United States | 383,177arrivals | 2025 · NTTO |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
- Study and training: Poland in United States
- Open Doors: students by place of origin, including OPT practical training. Not visas or residents. 2024/25 · IIE / Open Doors
- Academic stays: United States in Poland
- Mobility for academic credit reported by US institutions. Not the total number of residents or enrolment on a particular date. 2023/24 · IIE / Open Doors
- Travel: Poland to United States
- Arrivals by country of residence; not nationality, unique travellers or permanent residence. NTTO series coverage. 2025 · NTTO
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
What the EDCA organises
The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement signed on 15 August 2020 organises expanded military cooperation and the conditions of the US presence in Poland. It includes an administrative and logistical dimension as well as the political commitment. The regime governing forces and facilities is distinct from NATO collective defence: both frameworks operate together, but their instruments and obligations are not interchangeable. [1]
The Redzikowo facility
The Aegis Ashore base was officially inaugurated in November 2024. Poland's Ministry of Defence identifies the AN/SPY-1 radar, Mk 41 launchers and SM-3 interceptor missiles as components of the system. Its described role is defence against ballistic threats, and it forms part of the US contribution to NATO's integrated defence. It is not a measure of the total number of US troops in Poland. [2]
Military presence and local support
Cooperation requires transport, infrastructure, maintenance and coordination between administrations. The 2020 agreement helps explain why a security relationship also has local effects on facilities and services. Military purchases, business activity and goods flows have separate statistics. A defence contract is not automatically added to recorded trade as though it were a completed delivery. [1]
The scale of the two economies
The United States recorded nominal GDP of 30,769.7 billion USD in 2025, compared with 1,035.5 in 2025 for Poland. The reference populations were 341.78 million (2025) and 36.44 million (2025), respectively. In the same year, US nominal GDP was 29.72 times Poland's. These figures contextualise market size; they do not by themselves describe well-being, individual wealth or political influence. IMF estimates or population extrapolations retain their labels in the table. No ratio is calculated when periods do not match. [6] [7] [8] [9]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-07
An operational capability with its own date
The inauguration of Redzikowo provides a specific milestone following the EDCA. The Polish communication places the facility within the European defence system and the alliance framework. Assessing its operation requires more than observing the latest diplomatic meeting: its mission, technical integration and timetable matter. The civilian relationship is complemented here by study and travel indicators, without confusing them with military movements. [2]
Observed economic exchange
In 2025, recorded goods trade between the United States and Poland totalled 28,357.8 million USD. Shipments from the United States to Poland were 14,304.5 million USD; those in the reverse direction were 14,053.3 million USD. US shipments to the partner represented 0.66% of its goods exports to the world, using the same year and reporter. A single customs reporting source is used for both directions. This annual flow does not include all services activity or affiliates' local sales and is not added to accumulated investment capital. [3]
Recorded direct investment capital, not announced investment
The US direct investment position in Poland was 14,892 million USD in 2025. Poland's direct investment position in the United States was 485 million USD in 2025. BEA uses historical cost and the immediate counterparty. The figure is recorded capital at the end of the period, not a purchase or promise made during the year. It may reflect affiliate structures and financing; published negative values are not replaced with zero. It does not include all portfolio investment or allow each project to be valued individually. [4] [5]
Human connections with their own figures
In 2025, the source recorded 383,177 arrivals from Poland in the United States, with the coverage indicated in the table. [10]
In 2024/25, the source recorded 1,809 students and OPT practical training participants from Poland in the United States. [11]
In 2023/24, 688 stays for academic credit from the United States to Poland were recorded. [11]
The counts describe different populations and periods: they are not added as a total of unique people. Open Doors includes OPT practical training; US study stays require academic credit. Arrivals by country of residence do not equate to nationality or permanent residence. The academic year retains its coverage and is not relabelled as a calendar year. [10] [11]
Milestones and consequences
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Each figure retains its period, unit, definition and source. Announcements, contracts and results are not interchangeable. Empty cells do not mean zero. Customs data for 2025 are not presented as activity observed during later crises.
- Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement
Poland's Ministry of Defence · Institutional source · Document: 2020-08-15 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Inauguration of Redzikowo
Poland's Ministry of Defence · Institutional source · Document: 2024-11-13 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- TOTAL rows 2021–2025; US reporter; goods; million USD
U.S. Census Bureau · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Position; country row; G=2025; million USD; historical cost; immediate counterparty
BEA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Position; country row; G=2025; million USD; historical cost; immediate counterparty
BEA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-09-17
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; country ISO and year preserved; no military data; exact requested country subset independently re-fetched and values compared
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-06
- SP.POP.TOTL; country ISO and year preserved; no military data; exact requested country subset independently re-fetched and values compared
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Annual; country-of-residence row; AC=2025; arrivals, not unique people
NTTO · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- International Student Totals: 2024/25 incl OPT; US study abroad 2023/24. Not visa issuance.
IIE / Open Doors · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 27; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 30; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 84; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 85; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 87; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / USA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 27; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 84; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 85; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 87; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / USA
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 30; 2025; reporter 842; partners 804,616,380,528,752,579,208,792,818,784,634,400,586,360,704,608,764,702,554,710,566,404,170,152,32; X/M; annual goods.