Norway seeks reassurance on EU alignment as tariff crisis unfolds
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Monday to discuss the unfolding US tariff regime and the possibility of EU countermeasures. The talks come amid mounting concern that Norway, despite being outside the EU, could be caught in the crossfire of a transatlantic trade war — a scenario with significant implications for the country’s seafood sector, including salmon.
“Norway is and will remain in the internal market. This is very important to us, and we will find solutions together,” von der Leyen told reporters, in remarks reported by VG.
The reassurance is key for Norwegian seafood exporters, who rely heavily on market access to the EU. Norwegian salmon exports to the bloc reached over NOK 55 billion ($5.2 billion/€4.7 billion) in 2024, making it by far Norway’s most important trading partner. In contrast, the US — where salmon now faces a new 15% import tariff — accounted for around 20% of global demand.
On Monday, global markets dropped sharply as US tariffs announced by President Donald Trump began to take effect. Norwegian officials are scrambling to ensure they don’t face a similar response from Brussels.
Støre told VG that von der Leyen had confirmed Norway would not face “any surprises” in future EU decisions. However, he acknowledged that “a new kind of global trade is taking shape,” and that European protectionist measures could still follow: “If it is harmful to Europe, it will be assessed — and we will stay in close contact about that.”
The Prime Minister added that, although Norway is outside the EU, “we are working closely with the EU and defending the EEA Agreement.” Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg echoed this, saying: “We are in near-daily dialogue to be on the inside.”
Speculation had also swirled that delays in Norway’s implementation of certain EU directives could jeopardise its inclusion in potential exemptions. Von der Leyen dismissed this, stating, “We do everything necessary to have a functioning market,” and reiterated that Norway “is in the internal market and will remain in the internal market.”
The situation is particularly sensitive for the salmon industry, which fears being subjected to tariffs from both the US and the EU. Industry figures, including Mowi CEO Ivan Vindheim, have warned against new domestic regulatory burdens as global pressures mount. The Norwegian Parliament is due to debate both the Aquaculture White Paper and the Animal Welfare Report this spring — legislation that could impose further requirements on producers already facing international uncertainty.
Monday’s meetings were part of an EU-wide emergency response to the US tariff announcement. “It’s striking that the EU is still in a reflection phase,” said Støre, noting that European leaders had not yet settled on what retaliatory steps might be appropriate.