Rinkēvičs: Trump had kind words for Latvia during UN General Assembly week

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs shared on social media details of an encounter with US President Donald Trump that took place during the 81st UN General Assembly session in New York. On "X," Rinkēvičs wrote that he had a brief exchange and photo opportunity with Trump, and heard positive remarks about Latvia, the country's commitment to spending 5% of GDP on defense, and a pledge to keep "bad guys" from entering the country. On Facebook, the president summarized Trump's words as "We will protect against the bad guys."

Working visit to the US

Rinkēvičs was on a working visit to the United States from September 17 to 28. The visit's main purpose was participation in the opening of the UN General Assembly's 81st session, where the president addressed the assembly, focusing particularly on Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the hybrid threats facing Latvia and other countries in the region. He also took part in a UN Security Council meeting and met with leaders of other nations. The meeting with Trump occurred within a broader reception hosted by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in honor of the UN session, rather than as a separate visit.

Economic cooperation

The visit also had an economic dimension. Starting September 24, Rinkēvičs, together with a delegation of Latvian entrepreneurs, visited Los Angeles and San Diego, meeting with representatives of US companies. Discussions focused on defense and dual-use technologies, biomedicine, startups, and the film industry, aiming to strengthen the position of Latvian businesses in the US market.

Security matters held a central place in the visit, given the role of the US as Latvia's strategic ally within NATO.