More information about Norway is available on the Norway Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.

U.S.-NORWAY RELATIONS

The United States established diplomatic relations with Norway in 1905, following Norway’s separation from its union with Sweden. The United States and Norway enjoy a long tradition of friendly relations based on democratic values and mutual respect. Norway is a co-founder and steadfast strategic Ally in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).  It hosts and participates in NATO exercises and in operations with Allies and Partners.  In June 2022, the U.S.-Norway Supplementary Defense Cooperation Agreement entered into force, which modernizes the framework for visiting U.S. forces and reflects our shared commitment as NATO Allies to Transatlantic security.  U.S. military personnel train for cold weather exercises in Norway.  Norway is an active member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and has deployed trainers to Iraq in the support of Operation Inherent Resolve.  In February 2023, the Minnesota National Guard and the Norwegian Armed Forces signed an agreement under the National Guard State Partnership Program, following 50 years of the Norwegian-Minnesota National Guard Reciprocal Exchange.

Norway is deeply committed to the provision of development and humanitarian assistance overseas, as highlighted by a generous foreign aid budget of around $4.5 billion for 2022. In addition, Norway actively promotes universal human rights and economic development, and seeks the peaceful resolution of disputes around the globe.  Norway has provided over $1.4 billion in military and civilian support to Ukraine since Russia’s unprovoked war.  In February 2023, Norway committed to providing approximately $7.5 billion over the next five years to Ukraine and an additional $500 million to developing countries affected by the conflict.

The United States and Norway partner in combatting climate change and advancing the green transition.  Norway takes a keen interest in addressing the problems posed by climate change, developing clean energy technology, expanding access to renewable energy, protecting forests and the ocean, and increasing agricultural productivity.  Norway co-leads with the United States on the Green Shipping Challenge, is a partner in the Minerals Security Partnership, and was one of the first countries to join the First Movers Coalition to accelerate the development of markets for new, sustainable technologies in hard to abate sectors like shipping, aluminum, steel, and fertilizers.  Norway is a major funder of international tropical deforestation initiatives, including the LEAF Coalition, and coordinates with the U.S. alongside Germany and the U.K. on forest and land use issues as part of the GNU+US. Norway is also a key ally of the US in climate technology cooperation, as of March 2023 Norway will chair the UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee while the U.S. chairs the Climate Technology Center & Network.

Norway is a strong advocate and leader for economic, energy, and environmental cooperation in the Arctic.  Like the United States, Norway is a member of the Arctic Council and will take over the chair of the Council for two years in May 2023.  The United States and Norway maintain robust cooperation in the Arctic and work together to ensure the Arctic remains peaceful, stable, and sustainable.

There are strong historical people-to-people ties between the United States and Norway, with nearly five million Americans claiming Norwegian ancestry, almost equal to Norway’s own population. Both countries are working to facilitate even greater educational exchange opportunities.

U.S. Assistance to Norway

The United States provides no development assistance to Norway.

Bilateral Economic Relations

The United States and Norway have a dynamic economic partnership that is creating jobs, driving the development of safe and secure energy sources, and fostering innovation.  In 2022, Norway became the largest supplier of natural gas to Europe, playing a critical role in European energy security.  Norway is deploying clean technology, including investing in U.S. offshore wind on both coasts, and building clean energy manufacturing facilities that create American jobs.

U.S. exports to Norway include aircraft, mineral fuels, vehicles, machinery, and optic and medical instruments. U.S. imports from Norway include mineral fuels, fish and seafood, machinery, and optical and medical instruments. Reported U.S. direct investment in Norway is led by the mining and manufacturing sectors. Software and IT services, oil and natural gas, and metals, account for the top three sectors in Norway’s reported direct investment in the United States.  In addition to FDI, a substantial portion of Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global is invested in U.S. equities, fixed income, real estate, and renewable energy infrastructure.  The fund is the second largest in the world, owning on average 1.5 percent of 9,000 companies listed globally, 43% of them from the United States.

Norway’s Membership in International Organizations and Fora

Norway and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations and fora, including the African Development Bank, Arctic Council, Asian Development Bank, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Inter-American Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), United Nations, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Norway is also an observer to the Organization of American States.

Bilateral Representation

Principal embassy officials are listed in the Department’s Key Officers List.

Norway maintains an embassy in the United States at 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-333-6000).

More information about Norway is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

CIA World Factbook Norway Page   
U.S. Embassy
History of U.S. Relations With Norway
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics 
Export.gov International Offices Page 
Travel Information

U.S. Department of State

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