If Finns suddenly found themselves starting a new life in the United States, Washington state might feel like home. We share a particular mindset: We are tech-savvy builders and practical problem-solvers. Perhaps it is no coincidence that two places known for unpredictable weather have learned to look beyond today’s forecast and focus on the future.
We also share a love of the sauna. More than a century ago, Finnish immigrants helped shape Washington communities. In Kirkland’s Finn Hill, a 1915 account reportedly recorded some 55 Finnish families and 29 saunas. Today, Finland’s 5.6 million people share an estimated 3 million saunas. By that measure, Finn Hill was already keeping pace with Finland a century ago.
Our ties now extend far beyond the sauna. In 2023, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö addressed a joint session of the Washington Legislature as the first-ever foreign head of state. Finnish players have joined the Seattle Kraken, while Seattle’s National Nordic Museum, in Ballard, connects visitors with Nordic heritage and contemporary culture. Together with the Finnish-American community, these ties reflect a relationship built through government, business, culture, sports and people.
In a world of rapid change and intensifying competition, the right partners make all the difference. Finland and Washington state have found common ground — and compelling reasons to build on it.
Five years ago, Finland and Washington signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation in research, innovation, maritime industries and clean energy. We have achieved a great deal together since then, and I am grateful for this strong partnership. Renewed and expanded in early October, the MoU provides a framework to take our cooperation even further and turn shared ambitions into practical results.
Washington is a natural partner. Both economies depend on international trade and invest in digital technologies, clean solutions, maritime industries and sustainable forestry. We also share a commitment to innovation, sustainability and the values of openness, reliability and responsible growth. These common strengths matter all the more as global competition intensifies.
Technological change is accelerating. In artificial intelligence, quantum technology, clean energy and advanced communications, standing still means falling behind. Meanwhile, security concerns are growing, making trusted international partnerships essential to protecting critical infrastructure.
Finland brings substantial expertise to this effort.
Finnish innovators have helped advance mobile connectivity from 5G toward 6G, while Finland continues to invest in AI, quantum technologies and high-performance computing. Finnish companies are also global leaders in maritime technology, smart logistics and industrial solutions that support the clean transition.
In these fields, competition is fierce and the stakes are high. Finland knows what it means to perform under pressure. For us, resilience is not a slogan but a necessity. As technology becomes more deeply embedded in critical infrastructure, reliability and trust matter as much as innovation. Finland offers all three.
Consider icebreakers. Finland brings world-leading shipbuilding expertise and technology, while the United States contributes strategic demand, operational experience and maritime capabilities. Together, we can strengthen polar capabilities, advance innovation and enhance Arctic security. This is the value of trusted cooperation: combining our strengths to achieve more than either country could alone.
And that is why Finland is proud to count Washington state among its trusted friends.
