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On 11 September 2026, in Riga, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, met with Andrew Puzder, the US Ambassador to the European Union. The talks focused on closer transatlantic economic cooperation as a means of strengthening security, competitiveness and resilience.
Baiba Braže and Andrew Puzder discussed developments in EU–US trade and investment, as well as European competitiveness and economic security. The Minister emphasised Latvia’s interest in attracting US investment, promoting cooperation between businesses in the two countries, and diversifying supply chains through collaboration with reliable partners.
Particular attention was paid to practical cooperation in the energy sector, the defence industry and new technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and unmanned systems. Baiba Braže noted that a strong European economy and close EU–US economic relations also strengthen transatlantic security.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed her gratitude to the United States for its unwavering support for Latvia and its significant contribution to the security of Latvia and the Baltic region.
To mark the 250th anniversary of US independence, a commemorative stamp issued in collaboration with Latvijas Pasts was unveiled at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The stamp symbolises the close ties between Latvia and the US, as well as the importance of freedom and transatlantic unity.
During his visit, Andrew Puzder participated in a panel discussion at the Rīga Conference entitled “Two Years from The Draghi Report: The State of EU’s Competitiveness”, alongside Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, and other experts. The discussion was focused on investment, regulatory simplification, technological capacity and transatlantic economic cooperation.
The Ambassador’s agenda also included a meeting with representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia, a visit to the IT cluster at Riga Technical University and a discussion with executives from technology companies, and meetings with Latvian officials. At the conclusion of the visit, a memorial event for the victims of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks was held at the US Embassy.
