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. The two countries work closely together on a wide range of issues that are of importance to both nations and to the rest of the world. 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, and was a contributor to the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, which provided training, advice, and support to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. Norway is also an active member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, and has deployed trainers to Iraq in the support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Since January 2017, Norway has hosted a limited, rotational presence of U.S. Marines for cold weather exercises and training, and the Marines will continue to train in Norway under its new force design reorganization.
Norway is deeply committed to the provision of development and humanitarian assistance overseas, as highlighted by a generous foreign aid budget of around $4.1 billion for 2021, which constitutes over 1 percent of the country’s GNI. In addition, Norway actively promotes universal human rights and economic development, and seeks the peaceful resolution of disputes around the globe.
Norway takes a keen interest in addressing the problems posed by climate change, including a focus on clean energy technology, expanding access to renewable energy, forest protection, and increasing agricultural productivity. Norway is a strong advocate and leader for economic, energy, and environmental cooperation in the Arctic.
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. As the world’s second-largest exporter of natural gas and eleventh-largest exporter of oil, Norway plays an important stabilizing role in energy markets and energy security. Many U.S. companies participate in Norway’s petroleum sector, and vice versa. The United States and Norway are also committed to increasing access to modern energy services for the 1.4 billion people on the planet today who do not have any access to energy.
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, coal, oil and natural gas, and metals, account for the top three sectors in Norway’s reported direct investment in 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, 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 also is an observer to the Organization of American States. Norway will join the UN Security Council from 2021 to 2022.
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