Partners in Innovation and Technology

Belgium is not only an investor but a driver of cutting-edge technologies in the U.S., delivering real-world solutions in: 

• Aerospace: structural components for civil and military aircraft.
• Advanced technology: audiovisual displays for healthcare, entertainment, and the corporate sector.
• Cancer treatment: proton therapy, the most advanced and precise type of radiation treatment for many types of cancers and a critical technology used in hospitals and cancer treatment centers throughout the U.S.

An R&D Powerhouse 

Belgium leads the EU in R&D expenditures as a percentage of GDP. It is a home to major industrial research centers, attracting talent and serving as a test market for new technologies. This focus on innovation makes Belgium a valuable partner for the U.S. in developing cutting-edge solutions in biotech, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. Belgian research institutions partner with U.S. counterparts to develop the latest semiconductor technology. Many U.S. companies have extensive R&D centers in Belgium. 

Energy Leader

• Belgium is a central energy hub for Europe and a major importer of American LNG, which is stored at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges for domestic use and re-export to the rest of Europe.
• Belgium’s Natural Gas and LNG sectors offer significant opportunities for companies looking to expand or enter the Belgian and European markets. Key areas of focus include LNG slots, equipment supplies, and services. 
• The Belgian nuclear energy sector is gaining new momentum. Partnerships with Belgian companies and its nuclear energy research institute can be mutually beneficial, including on small modular reactors. Belgium is a leader in the energy transition, a hub for renewable energy and a pioneer in offshore wind energy, with the 6th largest offshore wind capacity globally. This expertise can benefit U.S. efforts to expand energy sources and reinforce energy security.  
• Belgian companies are developing breakthrough recycling technologies for critical raw materials, reducing strategic dependence on dominant suppliers. 

Global Leader in Life Sciences 

Our pharmaceutical ecosystem is second only to the U.S., and the bilateral pharmaceutical trade is both vast and vital. Belgian biotech and pharma companies are deeply invested in the U.S., helping supply lifesaving medicines to millions of Americans. 

Belgium is The EU’s #2 Exporter of Medicine and Vaccines 

It’s a hub for clinical trials and medical research, earning the nickname "Silicon Valley of vaccine development”. This expertise is crucial to global health security and supports U.S. efforts to combat pandemics and develop new treatments. 

Space Cooperation

Belgium is a world leader in space exploration and proudly hosts one of the major European Space Agency sites, in Redu. Belgian aerospace companies operate in the U.S. and contract with the U.S. civilian and military aerospace industry.