Discusses National Security, Trade, and Alliances With Trump Nominees
U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines, chairman of the European Subcommittee on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today delivered the following opening statement at a full committee nominations hearing. Witnesses included Lou Rinaldi to be ambassador to Uruguay, Art Fisher to be ambassador to Austria, Roman Pipko to be ambassador to Estonia, Stacey Feinberg to be ambassador to Luxembourg, and Nicholas Merrick to be ambassador to the Czech Republic. Daines’ questions to the nominees are also below.
Watch the full exchange HERE.
Daines’ Opening Remarks as Prepared for Delivery:
Nominees, thank you for joining us today and for stepping forward to serve our country. Also a special thank you to your families for sharing the burden of service.
Under President Trump and Secretary Rubio, America is back on the world stage and the days of the United States being pushed around are over. Secretary Rubio is playing an integral role in advancing America’s interests abroad, cracking down on foreign terrorist organizations like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua and has played a vital role in securing the NATO secretary general’s commitment to increased defense spending across Europe. The State Department is also in the middle of reform that is cutting waste, fraud and abuse, which only strengthens the ability of our diplomats around the globe to fulfill their mission.
It’s important to remember that the world remains a dangerous place. Enemies of the United States are working to ensure that the U.S. and our allies do not continue to be a beacon of hope and democracy for those who face tyranny or oppression.
Unfortunately no city in the world is safe. So far in 2025 there have been over a dozen terror attacks throughout Europe. Cities such as Munich, Vienna and Paris have all seen horrific terror attacks.
While all of you have been nominated to serve with allies of the U.S., these attacks show there are challenges no matter where you are stationed around the world. The fact that you are here today shows President Trump believes you have the diplomatic fortitude to meet the challenges you will face ahead.
Transnational criminal organizations, foreign cyber-attacks, trade negotiations, and unfortunately, wayward [tourists] will all be complications of your posts. President Trump will need your expertise in advancing U.S economic and national security interests, serving American citizens abroad, and furthering the administration’s agenda.
Through bi-lateral trade, investment, and defense cooperation we can increase prosperity and advance regional security far more than a singular country could do on its own, but it won’t be without opposition.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the vulnerabilities of Europe’s energy grid. Yet, with EU methane regulations, lack of new infrastructure, and the green hallucination, there is an absence of investment into realistic alternatives. There has been commendable progress amongst a select few countries, but there are still significant self-imposed vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities that could be addressed with bi-lateral investment.
Within the next two years there will be 16 federal elections across Europe. These are significant targets for Russia cyber operations such as hybrid threats, influence campaigns, and election interference. Cyber-security offers a new frontier of opportunities for U.S. collaboration and the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center.
It will be up to each of you to address these and other challenges while motivating our allies to meet their defense commitments.
Again, I thank you for your willingness to serve and look forward to your testimonies.
Daines Q&A
Daines questioned Nominee Roman Pipko about the Russian threat to Estonia:
Daines: My question, Mr. Pipko, is how can you as an ambassador work with Estonia and your fellow diplomats to ensure that the other European nations follow Estonia’s example and embrace the reality of the threat that Russia poses?
Pipko: Estonia not only committed it’s own resources to defend spending, but it has also been a clear voice within NATO in supporting American call for the increased spending. In fact, some people have called Estonia a megaphone for American requests. In light of recent demands by Russia, it seems to me that most members of NATO now understand that the very mission of NATO is now being questioned by Russia. I think those issues are going to be addressed at the upcoming summit of NATO at the end of this month.
Daines questioned Nominee Luigi Rinaldi on Montana ranchers collaborating with Uruguay beef industry:
Daines: Mr. Rinaldi, I’m from Montana, so I have got to talk about cows here a little bit. In my great state, we have a million people and about 3 million cows. This is an important topic. But looking at the, there are ways ranchers, farmers, their overall cattle industry, they suffered a collapse due to the $350 million cow bond scam. In fact, earlier this year, I visited Argentina. I had the opportunity to see theflourishing partnership actually between Montana and Argentine beef ranchers. Who knew that some of these great beautiful black Angus I was looking at in Argentina originated in Montana in terms of their genetics? Do you think there’s an opportunity for Uruguay to establish such a partnership with U.S. ranchers given their cow bond scam they had as a way to rebuild and create a thriving cattle industry?
Rinaldi: Yes, Uruguay is a great partner of the United States. So I think they have a great system within a great relationship with the United States. They mostly have cattle, and they have a culture industry in Uruguay. I think we can do some kind of agreement with the United States and ventures in Uraguay, they will do anything, to work in the United States, they are a very loyal ally to the United States.
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Contact: Matt Lloyd, Gabby Wiggins