Ambassador Huitfeldt meets President Biden in Washington

On Wednesday, Ambassador Huitfeldt presented her Letter of Credence to the President of the United States.

In her remarks, she underlined the deep historical bonds that Norway and the U.S. share. Norway has long been NATO’s eyes and ears in the High North, and we have met NATO’s two-percent defense-spending target. Earlier this year, the Norwegian Parliament unanimously adopted a historic long-term defense-spending and investment plan for the Armed Forces. Over a period of 12 years, $60 billion of investments in more personnel and new capabilities will substantially increase our military capacity and presence in the air, on land, and at sea.

Foreign trade is the backbone of the Norwegian economy, and the U.S. is our most important trading partner outside Europe. Exports from the United States to Norway are increasing, with potential for even further growth. The transition to a green economy also opens up major economic opportunities for both Norway and the United States.

In 2025, we will mark the bicentennial of the first organized voyage of migrants from Norway to the United States. Norwegians traveled across the Atlantic to settle in the United States in larger relative numbers than almost any other nation, second only to the Irish.

"It's an honor to be here representing Norway in the United States," said Ambassador Huitfeldt. "Our two nations stand together in defense of democracy, individual freedoms, human rights, the separation of powers, and the rule of law. I look forward to continuing our longstanding bilateral cooperation on the common challenges we face as allies. I will do my best to advance new cooperation in all the areas where our national interests align."

Article by: The Norwegian Embassy in Washington

Photo: The White House