Your Excellency (ies),
Ladies and Gentlemen,
E schéinen gudden Owend,
It’s a pleasure to be with you tonight in this beautiful setting, surrounded by friends and partners from both sides of the Atlantic.
Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude, reflection, and togetherness.
And here, with all of you, it feels fitting to celebrate the strong, enduring connection between America and Luxembourg.
This evening, I want to express my gratitude for the invaluable partnership we share with the United States. Our relationship has been shaped by shared values: respect for freedom and democracy, commitment to the rule of law, and an unwavering belief in opportunity for all. Our partnership runs deep, built not only on economics but also on history, friendship and again values.
In the 19th century, many Luxembourgers made their way to America, seeking new opportunities, new hope, and a better future. They built lives and families and became part of America’s rich history. Just as American businesses and families have become a part of Luxembourg’s own story.
During the Second World War, American soldiers helped liberate Luxembourg from occupation. A heroic act that forever marked our history and our hearts. We shall never forget. Their bravery is a reminder of our shared commitment to freedom, and this bond remains a source of inspiration and pride for us all.
Coming back to modern times, the recent elections in the US were of course quite exciting.
We congratulate the President-elect and we look forward to working together. The election outcomes will undoubtedly shift certain policies.
But I am sure that the long-term relationship between Luxembourg, the EU, and the US will not change. It is built on deep-rooted cooperation that rises above individual administrations.
A few weeks ago, I was in the US to meet with key US banks, asset managers, and insurers who are active in Luxembourg. We’ve had valuable discussions about their work in Europe and Luxembourg.
That visit to New York was particularly significant for me, as the US is one of Luxembourg’s most important partners in financial services. I was humbled to see the Luxembourg flag hanging on Wall Street, at the New York Stock Exchange.
Looking back, US firms were among the first to believe in Luxembourg as a financial hub. Today, US firms manage over €1 trillion in assets in Luxembourg, contributing enormously to our financial ecosystem. Since Brexit, we have welcomed even more American businesses to Luxembourg, particularly in insurance and private banking. Their presence is a strong testament to the trust and confidence in Luxembourg’s stability and its approach to finance.
Luxembourg, in turn, is dedicated to being a stable, open platform for American businesses to grow and prosper in Europe. In times like these, as we face global uncertainties, it is more important than ever to stand together.
As Thanksgiving reminds us, we can achieve great things when we work together.
Luxembourg remains fully committed to this partnership.
In the past year alone, we have introduced measures to make Luxembourg an even better place for businesses and individuals. We are working hard to make living in Luxembourg easier, with new housing measures to help young professionals put down roots. We are lowering the corporate tax rate and enhancing incentives for companies and their employees, especially young professionals.
We know that the global landscape is always changing, and that Europe is lagging behind in innovation. We are adapting to ensure that the EU and Luxembourg remain competitive, innovative, and attractive to businesses. As part of this commitment, we are also developing new initiatives to foster startups and innovation.
Our goal is to make Luxembourg a hub for international talent and a reliable partner for companies looking to grow in Europe. And global finance is deeply rooted in connections with the US – the largest capital market in the world. Finance remains the engine of our economic growth.
But we must innovate – we cannot stand still.
It’s like riding a bike. If you stand still, you fall over.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, but it’s also a time to look forward with new hope.
Tonight, as you enjoy this meal, let’s celebrate our strong ties, our shared values, and our common aspirations.
Thank you all for being here and for the trust you place in Luxembourg.
I am confident that we can build a future that benefits both our countries and brings positive change to the world.
Thank you, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving evening.
