Dear all, dear Alan and Sherry,
We are all pleased to be here today to attend AmCham’s and the U.S. Embassy’s New Year’s Reception.
Pleased, because it’s a commitment to our friendship and a possibility to thank you, Alan and Sherry, for the enormous work you have done to strengthen the relationship between Denmark and the United States of America.
I’m sure that I’m not the only one who now reflects deeply on what makes our relationship so special.
Many of us here today have seen the excellent, “Band of Brothers”.
The story about the American Easy Company during the Second World War.
The key takeaway is simple. It shows how much you can achieve and handle with strong comradery, trust and friendship.
We’re thankful for the strong ties that bind us.
During World War II, the United States sacrificed themselves in the fight against evil and for the freedom of Europe.
During the Cold War we stood shoulder to shoulder in the fight for freedom against brutal dictatorships in East Europe.
We were side by side when we faced and saw the horrible consequences of the threat from islamic terror.
For generations, the United States has been Denmark's closest and most important ally.
Now we’re faced with new challenges.
Putins brutal war in Ukraine is a reminder that we can not take freedom for granted. We need to fight for it. Together. With our friends and allies.
Putin will not win. He has already lost. He is isolated. His economy is weak. His army has lost over 800.000 soldiers and enormous amount of military equipment.
Ukraine is still fighting and we are supporting them. And Putin is facing growing resistance from inside Russia.
Together with our Ukrainian friends we will make sure that they, not only, will have peace - but also freedom.
The world has changed. And it affects our economies, our trade and our companies.
Again, the answer is to be found in the ties that bind. In the trust and friendship that generations before us invested themselves and their future in.
The ties between us have never been stronger. Music. Universities. Tourists. Movies. Business. And investments.
The reason? Again. Trust and friendship. And the fact that we depend on each other.
Just like “The Band of Brothers”.
We are a small country. And you are a big country. We don’t have your muscles.
But we have each other.
Great Danish companies deliver state of the art technologies and solutions within - and among other things - green transition, life science, shipping and logistics to the U.S.
The numbers speak for themselves.
The U.S is Denmarks biggest export market. And the largest foreign investor in Danish companies.
By 2023 the amount of Danish investments in the U.S reached almost 300 billion Danish kroner.
And Alan, the numbers tell another important story: Our investments rose after you entered the embassy.
Alan,
You have done tremendous work and pushed the pedal even further.
We saw that during the Select USA Investment Summit in 2023.
A large Danish delegation made new contacts, created new paths for investments and helped our relationship grow.
Together we once again found a way forward.
Like others we did not see the Inflation Reduction Act as a threat to Europe.
We saw it as a new opportunity to strengthen the ties between our two countries.
We thank you for that, Alan.
And I’m sure that your work have given Danish companies and investments an advantage that other countries admire and envy.
You are leaving now. But the groundwork for an even stronger relationship has already been laid.
Billions are invested. In Denmark and the U.S. Thousands of jobs are created. And major investments in new technologies have seen the light.
Based on generations of close contacts and yearlong common research and development we have moved our relationship to a new level.
With the launch of the Gefion AI Supercomputer, we once again strengthened the ties between us.
With the help of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, NVIDIA and the Danish Export and Innovation Fund, Danish researchers and industry now have access to one of the most powerful AI computers in the world.
We’re proud that the Gefion AI Supercomputer is located in Denmark. And excited about the opportunities it will bring.
The same thing can certainly also be said about quantum technology.
The next big adventure. And yet another example of the collaborations between Denmark and the U.S.
Both in the past and now. From Niels Bohr to the many new investments.
We need to get a head start. The global competition is extremely hard.
But together we will once again succeed. With trust, friendship and new investments in focus.
Dear Alan and Sherry,
It has been a joy to follow your years in Denmark.
Your interest in new technologies. Your focus on the green industri, green transition and sustainability have inspired many.
And it’s clear that it has a special place in your hearts.
The work at your center for sustainability at the Boston University is strong proof of that.
It functions as an important link for research projects between Denmark and the U.S.
So, we will not entirely let you go. Not yet. There is still plenty of work to do together.
Thank you to the team at the embassy.
Thank you to AmCham for being such a strong parter in the special relationship between our two countries.
Those who have been listening carefully would notice that I in my speech have used lyrics by Bruce Springsteen.
The Ties That Bind.
The opener of the iconic The River album. A song about love, commitment, trust and friendship.
In 2012 Springsteen played at the Roskilde Festival. He delivered what was described as one of the best concerts at the festival ever.
I know you loved his concert when he was here last year. Thousands did that too. Once again the ties that bind us were strengthened.
So from one of best, to one of the best couples that we have seen representing our most important ally and friend.
The original 2012 Roskilde Festival poster with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band headlining the poster.
Thank you, Alan and Sherry. Thank you for all you have done for us and Denmark.
Let us raise our glasses to thank Alan and Sherry. Skål.
Thank you for your attention.