Industrial Cooperation in a New European Reality: Norway and Germany

For decades, Norwegian industry has relied on stable framework conditions, open markets, and affordable energy to remain competitive. The EEA Agreement has enabled close integration into European value chains. This is particularly evident in the close industrial cooperation between Norway and its key trading partner, Germany. Norwegian raw materials, industrial inputs, and energy are vital to German industry, while German technology, capital, and market access drive value creation in Norway. Today, European industry is facing a new reality. Geopolitical uncertainty, rising protectionism, and high energy prices are challenging the foundations of these value chains. Industrial competitiveness is high on the EU agenda, and several new initiatives will also affect Norwegian industry. At the same time, Europe is placing greater emphasis on strategic autonomy and a “Europe first” approach. How will these developments shape Norwegian-German industrial cooperation? And how can both countries continue to create mutual value in a rapidly changing European landscape?