Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Norway Challenges US Tariffs During Trade Talks in Washington
Norway and the United States held a meeting about trade.
Norway said it disagrees with tariffs placed on Norwegian goods.
The United States announced tariffs affecting goods from 60 trading partners, including Norway and the European Union.
Norway also questioned why the United States is investigating industrial overcapacity involving Norway and other countries.
Norwegian officials said they should not be treated differently from the European Union.
The two sides discussed whether they could make a trade agreement.
Norway said it would only agree to a deal that benefits the country.
The countries plan to continue talking about the disagreements.
Norway raised concerns about US tariffs on Norwegian goods during talks in Washington.
Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik met Deputy United States Trade Representative Jeff Goettman on Wednesday.
Norway disputed both the tariffs and the US investigation into global industrial overcapacity.
The United States announced tariffs on goods from 60 trading partners, including Norway and the European Union, on July 24.
Officials discussed a possible trade agreement, but Norway said any deal must serve its interests.
- Who
- Norwegian State Secretary Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik and Deputy United States Trade Representative Jeff Goettman, with positions stated by Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.
- What
- They discussed US tariffs on Norwegian goods, a US overcapacity investigation, and the possibility of a trade agreement.
- When
- The meeting took place on Wednesday; the tariffs were announced on July 24.
- Where
- Washington, United States.
- Why
- Norway sought to challenge the tariffs and the investigation, and to discuss the future of bilateral trade.
Norway's Position
United States Trade Measures
Tariff justification
Norway's Position
Norway strongly disagrees with the United States' unilateral use of tariffs and says there is no basis for treating Norway differently from the European Union.
United States Trade Measures
The United States announced tariffs affecting 60 trading partners and said the measures were partly based on concerns about inadequate restrictions on imports made using forced labor.
Industrial overcapacity investigation
Norway's Position
Norway challenged the basis of the US investigation into global industrial overcapacity, which includes Norway.
United States Trade Measures
The United States is conducting an investigation covering Norway, the European Union, and 14 other countries.
Trade agreement
Norway's Position
Norway said any agreement must be in its interest and that it would not enter one at any price.
United States Trade Measures
The United States and Norway discussed the possibility of reaching a trade agreement, though no agreement was announced.
- Norwegian representative
- Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, State Secretary
- US representative
- Jeff Goettman, Deputy United States Trade Representative
- Tariff announcement
- The United States announced new tariffs on goods from 60 trading partners on July 24.
- Affected parties
- The measures included Norway and the European Union.
- Investigation
- The US investigation concerns global industrial overcapacity and covers Norway, the European Union, and 14 other countries.
- Potential agreement
- The meeting included discussion of a possible trade agreement between Norway and the United States.
- Norway's position
- Norway said it opposes the unilateral use of tariffs and would not enter an agreement at any price.