Trump meets Norway’s prime minister to discuss trade, tariffs and Ukraine

President Trump greeted Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg at the White House on Thursday.

When asked if he thinks Russian President Vladimir Putin will listen to him after issuing a statement this morning for him to stop attacking Ukraine, Mr. Trump said, “I do.”

Mr. Trump and the prime minister will hold a bilateral lunch and a meeting to discuss the war in Ukraine, trade and Trump tariffs and the future of NATO.

Mr. Stoltenberg and Mr. Trump are no strangers — Mr. Stoltenberg served as the secretary-general of NATO from 2014 to 2024. This will be the first in-person meeting for the president and prime minister.

The two spoke on the phone in November when Mr. Store congratulated Mr. Trump on his election victory.

“Over the years, Norway has maintained cooperation with the U.S. through changing times and different administrations. We will continue to do so. The Norwegian government’s primary aim is to safeguard Norway’s interests. The US is important for the Norwegian economy, for our jobs, and for the security of our country,” Mr. Store said at the time.

When discussing the trip to the U.S., Mr. Store said, “The United States is our most important ally, and in a turbulent and demanding security policy time, the close contact between our two countries is very important.”

Mr. Trump imposed 15% tariffs on imports from Norway before reducing the rate to 10% as part of a 90-day pause on the higher “reciprocal” tariffs.