Ladies and gentlemen,
It is truly a pleasure to be here with you this evening – in the spirit of Thanksgiving.
The Thanksgiving-tradition is deeply rooted in the American culture.
Coming together in gratitude, to celebrate community and partnership.
These are values we also share as Europeans.
In a time where things are changing on the geopolitical stage, it is especially good to work close with trusted partners and friends.
The fact is, I often look to the US for inspiration.
The climate knows no boundaries, and the whole world depends on the United States making good on its climate-commitments.
And all of us will benefit from the innovations in green and clean technology that is sure to come as your industries lean into the future.
I sincerely believe that Norway can make significant contributions to the green transition in the United States.
Big words from a small country, some might say.
I’m well aware that there are nearly eight times as many people in California alone, as in all of Norway.
But we have resources, technology and raw materials that can make the world greener.
And we have bold industries making a difference in the United States.
Corvus Energy opened a battery factory earlier this year in Bellingham, Washington state, to provide zero-emission solutions for maritime transportation.
Nel Hydrogen will build a new automated gigawatt electrolyser manufacturing facility in Michigan.
It will employ more than 500 people and be amongst the largest electrolyser manufacturing plants in the world when it opens.
We also see US companies making use of the great opportunities for high quality, clean production here in Norway.
Alcoa, for instance, produces the world’s cleanest aluminium here.
And Microsoft is working with Equinor to develop the Northern Lights project, which aims to standardize and scale CCs across Europe.
To use a technical term: This is great stuff!
I want to encourage more of these green value chains in both our countries.
That’s why I make sure to meet with US decision-makers every chance I get.
That is also why I’ve travelled several times to the US to develop our strategic partnership.
And this partnership has just entered a new stage.
My colleague, State Secretary Tore Sandvik, just in the last few days signed an MoU with the Department of Commerce, on behalf of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.
We are committed to strengthening our commercial dialogue and collaboration in sectors tied to the green transition.
Norway is engaged in U.S-led initiatives to accelerate the green transition, such as the Minerals Security Partnership and the First Movers Coalition.
We also support the “Joint Statement on Supply Chains Cooperation”.
While the State Secretary was in the US recently, he also launched the report “Norway’s contribution to the U.S. Economy”.
It shows that that Norwegian multinational companies in the US contribute to the creation of 20.200 American jobs.
We have large companies, such as aluminum producer Hydro with over 6,000 employees in the US, maritime company Wilhelmsen with 2,800 employees and maritime classification company DNV with 1,550 employees, alongside many small and midsized Norwegian companies operating in a range of different industries.
There are approximately 218.000 jobs associated with Norwegian portfolio investments in US companies.
Fittingly, the state secretary was also present for the opening of the Norwegian company Hydro’s new aluminum recycling factory in Michigan.
The plant will produce 120,000 metric tonnes (265 million pounds) of aluminum extrusion ingot per year and create approximately 70 local jobs.
Reducing emissions, creating jobs – that’s my kind of industry!
When people gather for Thanksgiving dinner, the custom is, as I understand it, to express gratitude.
Dear friends, I’m grateful for the great bond between our countries.
I’m grateful for the things we have achieved together.
And I look forward to many great things in the time to come!
Thank you.