Norwegian Delegation met with President Trump

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Finance Minister of Norway Jens Stoltenberg, and the Norwegian Ambassador to the United States Anniken Huitfeldt met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington D.C. on Thursday. Photo courtesy of the White House.

Norwegian delegation met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington D.C. on Thursday. In a series of thorough discussions, the leaders emphasized the importance of the U.S.–Norway relationship, covering key issues such as defense cooperation, the war in Ukraine, trade relations, and Norwegian investments in the United States.

"It was a good and thorough meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. The meeting confirmed that the U.S. is important for Norway, but also that Norway is important for the U.S.," says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre met with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington D.C., together with Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, and the Norwegian Ambassador to the United States Anniken Huitfeldt, on Thursday afternoon.

"There were thorough discussions about Norway’s cooperation with the U.S. in defense and security, about the path to a lasting and just peace for Ukraine, and about tariffs and trade relations between our two countries," says Prime Minister Støre.

The leaders spent much time discussing the war in Ukraine.

"The U.S. is a decisive player for Norwegian security, Europe, and Ukraine. We must contribute to a lasting and just peace in Ukraine. There is a need to increase pressure on Russia. Norway contributes with our experience as a neighbor to Russia, and the president listened to that," says Støre.

Norway is in ongoing contact with the U.S. about tariffs and trade, and this was naturally also a topic in the discussions.

"Norway’s position is clear: Increased tariffs are bad news for the global economy and for a small, open economy like Norway. Norway has low tariffs against the U.S., and the trade with the U.S. is balanced. This was not a negotiation meeting about tariffs, but we shared Norway’s view," says Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

The meeting was also a good opportunity to highlight Norway’s importance to the U.S.

"Norwegian companies are investing heavily in the U.S., in everything from, for example, the defense industry to fertilizers and aluminum. President Trump is focused on bringing more industry back to the U.S., and Norwegian actors are an important part of that. In addition, half of Norway’s savings are invested in American companies through the Oil Fund," says Støre.

Maintaining close contact with our most important ally, the U.S., at all levels—including with the president—is one of the government’s most important tasks.

"There is a close and good cooperation between our two countries. This year marks 200 years since the first Norwegian immigrants went to America. The U.S. is important for Norway, but Norway is also important for the U.S.—both in terms of security policy and economically. That is very clear after today’s meetings at the White House," says Støre.