Ambassador Andreas Michaelis

Ambassador Andreas Michaelis

Ambassador Andreas Michaelis

Biography

Andreas Michaelis, born on July 24, 1959, in Hanover, Germany, is a highly accomplished diplomat currently serving as the German Ambassador to the United States, a role he assumed in August 2023. His career spans over three decades of distinguished service in Germany’s diplomatic corps. Michaelis pursued his academic studies in Political Sciences and Philosophy at the University of Hanover and the University of Oxford, earning a Master’s degree and a Master of Letters. This strong academic foundation paved the way for his entry into the German Foreign Service in 1989.

Throughout his career, Michaelis has held several pivotal roles. Early in his journey, he served as Private Secretary to the Minister of State at the Foreign Office and later as First Secretary for Political Affairs at the German Embassy in Tel Aviv from 1992 to 1995. His expertise in communication and diplomacy led to his appointment as Deputy Spokesman and then Spokesman of the Federal Foreign Office under Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer between 1998 and 1999.

Michaelis has represented Germany in multiple ambassadorial capacities, including Ambassador to Singapore (2002–2006), Ambassador to Israel (2011–2015), and Ambassador to the United Kingdom (2020–2022). He also held leadership roles at the Federal Foreign Office, such as Director for Asian and Pacific Affairs and Director for Middle Eastern Affairs and North Africa. From 2018 to 2020 and again from 2022 to 2023, he served as State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office, where he oversaw Germany’s foreign policy strategies.

His tenure as Political Director of the Federal Foreign Office (2015–2018) was particularly notable for his involvement in high-stakes international negotiations. He played a key role in discussions on the Ukraine conflict, the implementation of the Iran nuclear agreement, and efforts to achieve a political resolution to the Syrian crisis. His extensive experience in conflict resolution and policy implementation has earned him recognition as a seasoned strategist and negotiator.

On a personal note, Andreas Michaelis is married and has three children. He is also a passionate supporter of 1. FC Union Berlin, a German football club. His approachable demeanor and active engagement with the public, particularly through social media, reflect his commitment to fostering strong relationships between Germany and its international partners.

Germany and the U.S. Bi Lateral Relations

Germany and the United States of America are bound by a close friendship based on historical ties, shared experiences, values and interests. Close transatlantic coordination remains just as important as in decades past for maintaining peace and security in Europe and around the world, especially against the backdrop of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The United States is a crucial partner when it comes to overcoming the social and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing global challenges such as climate change and strengthening the multilateral order.

The transatlantic security community within the framework of NATO and the approximately 35,200 US troops stationed in Germany help to ensure Europe’s security.

Close economic relations, too, create jobs in and foster exchange between the two countries. In 2022 again, the United States was the most important trading partner for Germany and the European Union. German companies are the third largest foreign employer in the US, providing a total of around 923,600 jobs.

Germany and the United States are linked by a dense network of relations in the sphere of civil society, science and culture. Exchange programmes and private initiatives also make an important contribution to this broad spectrum. Germany remains one of the most popular destinations for students from the United States. The more than 200 German-American town twinning arrangements are another key part of cultural exchange.