U.S. Imposes 15 % Tariff on Norwegian Imports

Photo credit: Carl Tronders

At 12:01 a.m. on 7 August 2025, the United States imposed a flat 15 % tariff on virtually all goods originating in Norway, as set out in President Trump’s executive order of 31 July. Norway now joins the EU, Japan and dozens of other trading partners at the 15 % level—well above the effective 1 % rate Norwegian exporters faced only a year ago.

Key facts at a glance

Tariff rate: 15 % ad-valorem on most Norwegian goods

Effective date: Shipments departing Norway after 1 August and clearing U.S. Customs on or after 7 August 2025 pay the new duty.

Duration: Indefinite - until a bilateral deal is struck or the order is revised

U.S.–Norway trade: Norway exported goods worth ~ NOK 62 billion (≈ USD 6 billion) to the U.S. in 2024—about 3.5 % of total Norwegian exports.

Top sectors hit: Seafood - Especially salmon: Americans bought roughly NOK 10 billion of Norwegian salmon in 2024, about double 2019. Other notable sectors include aluminium & metals, machinery, furniture, and advanced manufacturing components.

Most petroleum and gas products are exempt from the 15% tariff, with the White House’s Annex II specifically excluding crude oil, refined fuels, lubricants, LPG, and natural gas from the new duty.

Response from Norway

Norway’s Trade Minister Cecilie Myrseth confirmed that talks with Washington are ongoing but characterized them as “constructive yet demanding,” cautioning that the 15 % levy could “stay in place for some time.”

Norway’s finance minister Jens Stoltenberg said talks with Washington have a ‘good tone’ but warned Norwegians to prepare for a 15% U.S. tariff, adding he could not guarantee a deal before the measure took effect.

“The U.S. tariffs are bad news for global trade and bad news for Norway and our companies. This doesn’t provide the predictability that business needs,” said Ole Erik Almlid, CEO of the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO).