The new U.S. tariffs could potentially breach NATO’s charter, as they forbid economic coercion among member countries. Norway has voiced reservations about this approach, according to Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.
During a NATO gathering in Brussels, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide spoke to U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, recalling a clause outlined in the organization’s founding treaty.
“I am reading Article 2,” Eide said, citing the passage. “It specifies that we should avoid employing our economic influence against each other.”
From his perspective, the new tariffs imposed by Washington might conflict with this stipulation. According to Article 2 of NATO’s charter, member countries must strive to remove discrepancies in their international economic policies and should promote economic collaboration amongst each other.
Rubio’s reaction
As per Eide, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio grasped the core of the matter.
The Foreign Minister stated that he thought he grasped the issue, and also mentioned that numerous Europeans shared his viewpoint.
It’s important to mention that the recent U.S. tariffs have had a direct impact on Norway. These tariffs include a 15% custom duty on imported goods from Norway. Meanwhile, Denmark as well as other European Union nations will encounter slightly higher rates at 20%.
Trump introduces additional import taxes
On April 2, US President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on goods imported from every country around the globe.
The duty percentages vary between 10% and 50%, based on which country is bringing in goods. Notably, the rate set for imports into Ukraine was 10% under Trump’s policy.
To find additional information about the tariff rates for key U.S. trading partners, refer to the piece published by RBC-Ukraine.