WASHINGTON—Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on April 24 in a diplomatic overture that blended pragmatism and strategic alignment.
“I’m very honored to have the highly respected, the great prime minister of the Kingdom of Norway with us today, who, as you know, has been doing a fantastic job and [is] truly respected throughout the world as a leader,” Trump said before a lunch gathering with some Cabinet members and the Norwegian delegation.
The prime minister acknowledged the many years of cooperation between the two nations and the importance of the alliance.
“The U.S. is our lead ally, and we build on the relationship,” Store said.
Store was accompanied by Norwegian Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg. The visit underscored the delicate balance of transatlantic relations amid rising trade disputes and shared security imperatives.
Topics of discussion included trade and regional security, among other issues.
The leaders also addressed the recently imposed 15 percent tariffs on Norwegian goods sold to the United States, temporarily reduced to 10 percent until early July.
Because the United States is Norway’s second-largest trading partner, behind the European Union, the U.S. levies are affecting exports such as oil, gas, and seafood, which the Nordic country relies on to bolster its economy.
“We’re going to have a good relationship on trade,” Trump said during the Oval Office meeting.
Norwegian officials emphasized the economic partnership while suggesting that negotiations could include exemptions for certain products or mitigations to limit the effects of tariffs.
“Norway and the United States cooperate in a number of areas, and the United States is an important trading partner,” Store said in a statement.
“I look forward to talking about areas where we can cooperate even more closely in the future.”
Expressing cautious optimism that a deal could be reached, the longtime leader of Norway’s Labour Party said he is looking to resolve trade tensions.
Also up for discussion during the working visit is the role Norway plays in supporting NATO, a group the country cofounded, and its involvement in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
A vocal supporter of Ukraine, Norway has called for a peace agreement that does not offer concessions that benefit Russia.
Norway is also providing aid and funding operations in the region, with a plan to give Ukraine approximately $8 billion this year to improve European energy security, Store told Trump.
Trump called for a swift resolution to the conflict and said that Norway is assisting efforts to bring about a peace agreement.
“I have my own deadline, and we want it to be fast, and the prime minister is helping us,“ the president said. ”He wants it to be fast, too. And I think … this time in NATO, they want to see this thing happen.
“So we have a deadline, and after that, we have a very ... different attitude.”
Store agreed that an end to the fighting is of paramount importance and thanked Trump for his efforts to resolve a “complex picture” that needs “political will and push.”
“I salute President Trump for having been taking very important initiatives to get this conflict towards an end, which both parties deserve,” Store said.
“We need to have a cease-fire, save lives, move towards something which is more secure for Europe, for the people concerned. ... I look forward to going into some details, because we are at a critical moment.”
Securing the Arctic region has long been a priority for Trump, who has repeatedly called on NATO allies to increase defense spending and better collaborate to ensure peace and stability.
Trump’s last official meeting with Norwegian leaders, including then-Prime Minister Erna Solberg, was in 2018.
“Norwegians and Americans have so much in common,” he said. “We’re nations made up of strong, pioneering, and adventurous people, to say the least.”
Beyond geopolitical issues, the April 24 visit carries domestic implications for both sides, with Store facing a parliamentary election in September.
The White House is seeking to project strength and stability on the global stage while balancing key trade and security alliances and showcasing the president’s “America First” agenda.
Officials representing the two nations have signaled that the visit, the 13th occasion on which foreign leaders have been welcomed to the White House in Trump’s second term, underscores the necessity and complexity of maintaining global ties.
The United States and Norway have maintained peaceful diplomatic relations based on democratic values and mutual respect since 1905, when the Scandinavian country split from Sweden, according to the U.S. State Department.
“Academic freedom is under pressure in the United States, and it is an unpredictable position for many researchers in what has been the world’s leading knowledge nation for many decades,” Sigrun Aasland, Norway’s minister of research and higher education, said in a statement.
“It is important for Norway to be proactive in a demanding situation for academic freedom. We can make a difference for outstanding researchers and important knowledge, and we want to do that as quickly as possible.”
