Economic motivations for the communist regime from Romania to improve political relations with United States

Abstract

In the Cold War complex context, United States provided diplomatic and economic support to some countries from Eastern Bloc that were perceived as having some forms of autonomy from Soviet Union. The "Polish way to socialism", implemented by Władysław Gomułka in Poland, was rewarded, at the beginning, by substantial economic aids from Western Bloc. This example motivated Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej, the communist leader of Romania, to search for the United States’ support in his policy of gaining more autonomy from Moscow. Gheorghiu-Dej’s successor, Nicolae Ceaușescu, continued this policy and he obtained favorable trade agreements and substantial financial resources. In the end, the improvement of relations with United States had complex consequences for Romania.

Keywords: Economic tools of foreign policy, cold war, socialist Romania

JEL Classification: F34, F35, P33