Hanso presents credentials to Trump and praises White House welcome
Wednesday 16th September 2026 on 05:45 in
Estonia
Estonian Ambassador to the United States Hannes Hanso presented his credentials to President Donald Trump at a ceremony in the White House on Tuesday, ERR reported. Trump accepted credentials from 14 new ambassadors in total.
Hanso said the ceremony was a memorable protocol experience. The ambassadors first gathered at Blair House, across the street from the White House, before being escorted inside and briefed on what to do in the Oval Office.
When the doors opened, each ambassador walked about 10 steps to a piano where Trump was standing. The chief of protocol introduced Hanso, who then approached the president.
Hanso said he told Trump that he was from Estonia, a country the president knew as a “computer country” because of its digital expertise. After a handshake, Hanso handed over Estonia’s credentials in Estonian and asked whether Trump wanted to read them in the language. Trump laughed at the remark.
The ceremony did not allow time for a longer conversation, Hanso said, describing the current practice as “quickly in and quickly out.” Before the ceremony, however, he held longer meetings with several senior administration officials.
Hanso said he discussed an upcoming conference on rebuilding Ukraine in Estonia and a memorandum of understanding on critical raw materials that Estonia hopes to sign with the US administration. He also spoke at length with the US deputy secretary of state responsible for the Europe and Eurasia portfolio.
Trump’s written response to Hanso’s letter highlighted shared values and freedoms, the importance of transatlantic and security relations, and the strong ties between Estonia and the United States. Hanso said Trump also stressed entrepreneurship, business and economic growth.
Comparing the ceremony with the one at which he previously presented his credentials to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Hanso described the White House as “small and charming” and relatively homely. He contrasted it with China’s People’s Palace in the city centre, which he described as a palace the size of a small city, with extremely high ceilings.