Hesse Minister President Boris Rhein visits U.S. to strengthen ties

Hesse Minister President Boris Rhein led a delegation to the United States, visiting Washington D.C. and New York, to strengthen political, economic, and security ties between the German state and the U.S.

During the trip, Rhein met with high-ranking officials, including U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor Mike Needham and Deputy Commerce Minister Paul M. Dabbar. Discussions focused on defense, security, and intensifying trade relations. Rhein also visited the New York Stock Exchange to advocate for closer connections between the financial hubs of New York and Frankfurt.

Highlighting the deep historical and economic links, Rhein noted that the U.S. is Hesse’s most important trading partner, with a trade volume of approximately 28.4 billion euros in 2025. He also emphasized the importance of European autonomy in security, stating, “Europe must grow up. We must be able to defend ourselves against all those who challenge us.”