Transatlantic Voices: A Message from the Managing Director
A literal transatlantic chorus has broken out since January 20th – some reactionary and impulsive, some impassioned, some opportunistic, some deeply reflective. Many more are engaged in evaluating US-Norway relations than at any point during my 22 years at the helm of AmCham. Thankfully and essentially, voices of measured reason are growing in vitality.
Our mission of advancing transatlantic business suddenly has considerably more heft. Our leading member companies are keenly aware of operating environment fundamentals shifting beneath their respective operations, both in Norway and the US. They are closely monitoring, assessing, and preparing to implement strategic countermeasures in the event of US administration trade policy clarity.
For the nearly 400 US companies operating in Norway – employing 45 000 and accounting for 2.3% of Norway’s GDP, along with Norwegian companies supporting thousands of jobs in the US – these are trying times. How to best navigate ubiquitous instability becomes as important as operational efficiency, scale, and product/service innovation.
As a resource to address this instability, AmCham’s amalgamation of cross-industry leaders, trusted information resources, transatlantic business platforms and deep-seated public partner relationships are unmatched. Our private sector leaders are coming together to solve real-world problems for their respective organizations, mutually learning from and improving upon one another’s decision-making capabilities.
"As business leaders heavily invested in the transatlantic economy, we have an increasingly vital role to play going forward."
Jason Turflinger
Deeply Enduring Ties
For what it’s worth and as an American, I am deeply concerned by what I read early each morning from the US. As an honorary Norwegian of 26 years, I am no less troubled by local media, partner reports and public sentiment. My conversations with colleagues, members, partners, friends, family and acquaintances are very often focused on D.C. It can be all-encompassing.
Democratically elected US officials’ decision-making processes – as abrupt, unpredictable and potentially damaging to mutual value creation as they may seem to be – are often outside of our control. Fact-based, reasoned and long-term strategic decision-making is, however, decidedly well within our domain. As business leaders heavily invested in the transatlantic economy, we have an increasingly vital role to play going forward.
With the robust US system of government and institutions now being stress tested, along with transatlantic relationships in general, let us not easily forget our enduring ties. Our mutual prosperity depends upon it – and AmCham’s work continues in earnest. Onward, together!