Californian governor thanks Belgian delegation for visiting in "difficult times"

On Monday, California governor Gavin Newsom on Monday welcomed a high-level Belgian economic delegation currently on a trade mission in the state. Newsom praised the scale of the delegation, with more than 500 representatives from the business and academic worlds.

“Our country is going through difficult times," said Newsom, a prominent Democratic governor and outspoken critic of US president Donald Trump. "The presence of such a large delegation reminds us of the importance of personal connections."

The visit also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Belgium’s three regional trade agencies and California's Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). The agreement aims to create a flexible framework for collaboration in areas such as trade, knowledge exchange, and public-private partnerships.

“This partnership marks a significant step in connecting our economies, entrepreneurs, and innovation ecosystems,” said Isabelle Grippa, CEO of hub.brussels. “We hope it will soon lead to concrete actions, starting with a return delegation from California to Brussels.”

Defence partnerships

Next to the MoU, the trade mission to California has also delivered tangible results for several Belgian companies. On Monday, four companies active in the defence and technology sectors signed contracts with US partners.

Aerospace supplier Asco Industries concluded a strategic partnership with cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks. Thales Belgium, meanwhile, will work with MSI Defense Solutions on integrating Belgian 70mm guided rockets and launch systems onto mobile platforms, focusing on anti-drone technologies.

"International cooperation is not a luxury. It’s a necessity”

Septentrio, which develops satellite navigation receivers, announced a collaboration with Xona Space Systems to design new navigation and timing solutions. And VoxelSensors signed an agreement with Summer Robotics to integrate its sensor technology into what should become “the world’s fastest and most agile industrial robots.”

“In a world where defence, technology, and economics are increasingly intertwined, international cooperation is not a luxury. It’s a necessity,” said Belgian Defence minister Theo Francken. “By joining forces with trusted partners in the US, we strengthen not only our industrial position but also our strategic autonomy and security.”

^{#FlandersNewsService | Walloon Economy minister Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele, Princess Astrid of Belgium and Governor of California Gavin Newsom. © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE}