Thank, you very much. Good. Afternoon I'm honored to welcome. Prime. Minister, Erna Solberg, of, Norway, to, the White House. Madam. Prime Minister it's been a pleasure, to. Host you today had. Some very interesting discussions. As. We strengthened the wonderful, friendship, between our two countries. Norwegians. And Americans, have so much in common we're Nations made up of strong. Pioneering. And, adventurous. People. To say the least, over. A thousand, years ago. Daring. Voyagers, of Norwegian. Descent, such. As Eric the Red braved. Treacherous. Seas in, courageous. Missions, of exploration. Centuries. Later during the second world war brave, Norwegians. Escaped occupied, Norway, to. Fight alongside of, Americans. And the Allies. Including. On the beaches of Normandy, in 1944. Our. Friendship, bills on this proud and noble history and, is. Rooted in our commitment to confront the problems, of today, with. That same confidence and, that same. Determination. And I think it might even be greater, determination. We've. Just concluded a series of discussions, on how we can work together to promote a future, of, security. And world, prosperity. And. Also, a great, future for our respective. Countries. Working, together the, Prime Minister, and I are both committed, to strengthening the, NATO, alliance Norway. Has made contributions, to, the nato-led, mission. In Afghanistan. Where we are doing, very. Well it's been turned around as, well. As to NATO and NATO's. Enhanced, forward, presence in Poland, and the, Baltic, States. I want to thank the Prime Minister and, the. Norwegian. People for, their participation, in these efforts, I, encouraged. Norway, to follow through, on its commitment to, meet the 2 percent of GDP, defense. Spending obligation. So. That together we can, confront. The full range of threats facing our nation's and. I believe Norway will get there quite soon. Norway. Is also, a vital and valued member of the campaign, to, defeat Isis because of us, Isis. Has now lost almost 100, percent, of the. Territory had, previously, held not. So long ago in. Iraq and, in Syria we're. Grateful for Norway's, civilian, assistance efforts, and. Generous. Humanitarian. Aid to the region they've been out there and really doing. An incredible job I'm. Also pleased to share, that. The economic, ties between our two countries are robust, and growing the. United, States currently has a trade, surplus. Which. Is shocking. Do. You believe I'm saying we have a surplus. There. Aren't too many you're gonna have to go back and check your people. But. We're getting more and more surpluses, all over the world I will say that I told that to the prime minister. But. Our two countries are robust, and growing the, United States currently has a. Large. Contingent. Of products that we sell and back. And forth with Norway and one of the big products of course is our military equipment, I want, to thank the people of Norway for, their commitment. To fair and reciprocal. Trade. A word that you're gonna hear more and more coming from this administration, and it should have come from other, administrations. Before, me reciprocal. Trade, which. Benefits, us all free nations are stronger, when the, trade. Is fair and. Trade, has not been overly fair with the United States but, we've had, that great relationship.
With. No way but remember the word reciprocal. In, November, we started delivering the first f50, twos and. F-35. Fighter jets. We. Have a total of 52 and, they've. Delivered a number of them already a little ahead of schedule it's. A ten billion dollar order. Norway. Also invest, about one-third of its sovereign wealth front in. American, businesses. Supporting. Hundreds, of thousands, of in jobs they're very big investors, in our stock market and therefore. The Prime Minister thanked me very much, because. Their market is you. Have done very well with your investments, in the United States, right. Thank you, always. Commitment, to mutually. Beneficial, Commerce, is a model for other nations and it really is amazing, country, I look, forward to forging, an even stronger economic, relationship, between the. United, States and Norway growing, this record of success, with. Even more investment, and more jobs and more job creation, we're. Also proud of our increasing, cooperation on, health and, health. Security and. Also. On bio defense very important to both countries, I commend. Prime Minister, Solberg's. Efforts, to promote vaccine. Development, and disease. Prevention together, we can save and improve many. Many lives we're working. Very hard and in some, cases together on. Cures. To many. Ailments. Prime. Minister Solberg I want to thank you again for joining us at the White House for decades, Norwegians. And Americans, have. Stood side-by-side against. Common threats to, our freedom our. Security, and to our values, together. We have fought against fascism and communism and, terrorism and we, face threats. Always. Together. We're. Partners, our. Partnership, is advanced, peace cooperation. And respect for, human dignity all, around the world today. We remain united in our efforts, to confront shared, challenges. To seize new opportunities and. To build, a bright and beautiful future, for our countries. Our, people. Our, children and I. Think we're doing very well working. Together and, we have a newfound friendship, so. I want to thank, you and god bless you thank you very much. Thank. You mr. president and thank you for your generous welcome, it's. A great honor to be here at the White House the, relationship, between our two countries is, strong, and it has very, deep roots, there. Are millions of US citizens, who proudly, call themselves, Norwegian, Americans and.
Our. Our Norwegian Constitution the, second oldest in the world that. Is still in force was. Inspired, by American, ideals and we. Have a long, and continuous, history, of serving, shoulder-to-shoulder. On. Battlefields. Around the world. The. US remains our, most important, ally, a major. Trade partner, and a, close friend. Today. We have discussed issues, so far of important, for our a relationship. How. We can keep our countries, and citizens safe how, we can grow our economies, how, we can further cooperation. The, cooperation in areas, of mutual interests. And I. Have assured President Trump that. Norway remains an ally and a, friend that you can count on in the future. We. Are already number two in NATO after the u.s. in terms of defense spending per capita and we. Are making. Significant, investments to further strengthen our defense and this. Includes as the president, said some big buys from American. Industry p8. Maritime, patrol across from both 52, f-35. Combat, aircraft, from Lockheed Martin our largest, single public, investment. Ever in Norway but also we are buying new submarines. And investments. In intelligence. Capabilities. And army assets and which. Is important. Also for our job in a northern, part, the. American economy is doing well and our, economic. Relations, are flourishing. And that's, to the benefit of both countries as we. Discussed in our meeting, for a small country like Norway it's. Important, for our ability to train and to invest across border that we have fair, trade and that, we have multilateral. Trade systems, also and we, think. It's important, for our future, Norwegian. Investments. And Norwegian companies, support, close to half, a million jobs of in the United States. Through our government pension funds substantial. Revenues from, our oil sectors, are being investment, invested, in u.s. assets. The. US has an impressive. Business, community. And, I've, commanded, a leading role that is playing also, in the transformation. To, a green economy for. Example by the fact that one. Of the big areas. We are now importing, an always electrical, cost from Tesla and. Norway. Is combating. Climate change it's.
An Important, issue for us and we, are committed to the Paris agreements but it leads to businesses, and, it leads to American businesses skill so selling, costs in Norway at. The same time the green economy is, in the area where we see, tremendous economic and, business opportunities. In the future and. Finally. I think it's important, to say that we also are discussing some, of the big. Difficult, issues for example the development of in Afghanistan, where, I think in hope that we can find new future it's, important, that we are all working together to find solutions both. In North Korea Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq and. Since. September, 11 2001. Norway, has contributed, to, arrange. A mission and operations. Including, the fight against Isis and I. Have assured, the president of we remain, unwavering, in, our commitment to the fight against, terrorism, all over, the world so, mr. president I am looking forward to future cooperation and, thank, you for a very fruitful, meeting thank. You. Okay. Here's some questions, how about Sara Westwood, where's, Sara Sara. Thank you. Washington. Examiner, yes, Thank You mr. president, yesterday. In a meeting, with lawmakers you, said that you would be open to signing just, about any immigration, deal that that bipartisan. Group of lawmakers sent. To you right would you be willing to sign an immigration, deal that ultimately, does not include funding for the border wall or would that be a rent for you no no. It's got to include the wall we need the wall for security, we need the wall for safety, we need the wall for stopping, the drugs from pouring in, I would, imagine that the people in the room both democrat, or republican i. Really, believe they're gonna come up with a solution to the daca problem, which has been going on for a long time and, maybe, beyond, that immigration, as a whole but. Any solution, has to include the wall because, without the wall it. All doesn't work you. Could look at other, instances, look at what happened in israel they put up the wall they say let's solve the very, major problem we. Need the wall we have to have the wall for security, purposes, security, is number one and. So. The answer is have, to have the wall thank you and, please. From. Norwegian. Broadcasting. Mister. President prime. Minister. Recently. An, emergen, american. General, robert, Nellore told. His marines based in norway. There's. A war coming the. Biggest, fight. Mr.. President, how imminent, is that big war and where. Will it take place, the. Big war you're saying what say. It was a an, american general, robert Nellore he visited, the norwegian. American. Marines based in Norway and he said if there is a war coming a big, ass fight. When. Would that work well maybe he knows something that I don't know okay I. Would. Say this I would say this we have a very very, powerful military, we're getting more powerful, by the month, by the day we're. Ordering a lot of the equipment that you're. Ordering we're ordering it but in larger amounts to. Put it mildly we. Are building up our military to a point that we've never been before we're, also we. Were very much. Weakened. Over the last long, period of time but, not, with me no. I don't expect that I think we're going to have because. Of strength peace. Through, strength I think, we're gonna have a long period of peace I hope we do we. Have certainly problems, with North Korea but a lot of good talks are going on right now a lot of good, energy I see a lot of good energy I like it very much what I'm seeing I just spoke this, morning with, the.
You Know with the president, president moon of. South Korea he. Had some really, great meetings, his representatives. Had a great great meeting and. I. Had some very good feedback from that so hopefully a lot of good things are gonna work out no I think that we, will have peace, through, strength our, military will be stronger than it ever was in a very short period of time and. That's. My opinion that's not the generals opinion, but I think. My opinion counts more right now. The. Reason why we are so happy that we have used Marines training, in Norway is that that's part, of the deterrence strategy that. Makes sure that we don't have a war in the future. Question. For the prime minister I did yes thank you madam, Prime Minister president. Trump has said that the investigation into. Russian. Collusion, makes our country quote look very bad and he said, this morning that quote the world is laughing at our stupidity, so my, question to you is are, you laughing at the Russian investigation, I think. I think. That. It's up to every, political system, in countries to scrutinize, and discuss, their, own political agenda, in their countries and I respect, that very much and that this is an issue for American, politics, I just like to say that it has impacted. Also, in Europe I think all European, countries have, who have had elections this year has, been looking, into will, there be any type of tampering others we concluded after our election, that we could not find any proof of any had tried to to. Put, an emphasis on that from from countries outside and. Outside no way I think it was a very. Norwegian, election within the region participants. Will. Say this there, is collusion, but. It's really with the. Democrats, and the Russians far more than it is with the Republicans. And the Russians so the witch hunt continues. John. Go ahead. Thank, You mr. president, I also have a question for the prime minister but if I could address the president first sir, brought up the Russia investigation. Your. Legal team sources, have told us believes, that in the next few weeks the Special, Counsel Robert, Muller will ask for some sort of an interview with you your, legal team believes as part of wrapping up his investigation, are. You open, to meeting with him would you be willing to meet with him without, condition. Or would you demand that. A strict set of parameters, be placed around any encounter, between you and a special counsel well again John there. Has been no collusion between the, Trump, campaign and, Russians. Or Trump and. Russians no collusion when. I watch you interviewing, all the people leaving their committees, I mean the Democrats are all running for office and they're trying to say this that but bottom line they all say there's no collusion and there, is no collision and when. You talk about interviews. Hillary. Clinton had an interview, where, she wasn't sworn, in she wasn't. Given the oath that. In take notes they. Didn't record and it, was done on the fourth of July weekend. That's. Perhaps. Ridiculous. And a lot of people looked upon that as being a. Very, serious, breach and it, really was but, again I'll speak to attorneys. I can, only say this there was absolutely, no collusion everybody, knows that every committee I've been in, office, now for 11 months for 11 months they've had this phony cloud. Over. This administration. Over our government, and it has hurt our government, it does hurt our government, it's, a Democrat, hoax that. Was brought up as an, excuse, for losing an election that frankly. The Democrats, should have won because they have such a tremendous, advantage in the electoral college so, it was brought up for that reason but, it has been determined that there is no collusion and by virtually. Everybody so. We'll see what happens would. You be open to we'll see what happens I mean certainly I'll see what happens but when. They have no collusion and nobody's, found any collusion at, any level it. Seems unlikely that you'd even have, an interview, and. Madam, Prime Minister Norway. Shares a small but strategic, border with. Russia president, Trump's position, has been it's better to try to work with Vladimir, Putin if, possible, than to work against him where, do you come, down on that idea better, to work with Putin, than Dena with it well.
I Think Russia is an important player in the international world and I don't think you can not. Work with and talk to but, on the other hand it's important, to say that we. Have we have a line with all the sanctions as, the European Union has done and and as a member connected, both in NATO and and. Interconnected. To that and we have also suffered. Some economic. Difficulties. In some areas and no way based on those sanctions. But, on, the other hand we have a very good. Relationship, with Russia over that, border area where, we do have very much free movement of people, special. Zone of people moving for to and fro we, have. Very. Large cooperation. On sustainable. Fisheries in this area it's the biggest cod area, in the world with, a sustainable, resource and we, do patrol, it we do work together so. We think it's important to do two things at the same time yes the. International, law is firm and clear there, was a break, of that to the annexation, of Crimea, and the situation, in Ukraine and we still stand by our allies with that but, at the same time as a neighboring, country we do day-to-day. Work on, things that we have to solve for the people and the economic activity, that is in that area and, which. Is a fragile area. For the whole world just, to. The answer I, think it is much better to work with Russia, it's. Very much better, having to do with North Korea where we currently have a problem that should have never been my problem this should have been a problem solved, many, years ago when it was much less dangerous but it was given to me along, with a big mess of other things but, I will say this I am for massive. Oil and. Gas and everything else and a lot of energy Putin. Can't love that I am, for the strongest, military that, the United States ever had, Putin, can't love that but. Hillary. Was not for a strong military and Hillary, my, opponent, was, for windmills and, she, was for other types of energy that don't have this, capacities. At this moment certainly so. I just, want to say that it's a lot better to work with other countries we're working with China or North Korea we're working with various other. Countries and I think we're doing very well we had a great talk as you. Know and as you reported, we had a great talk this. Morning with president moon and I think that a, lot, of good things are happening we're. Going to see what happens but working. With other countries whether it's Russia or China or, India or any of the countries that. Surround. This world and encompass. This world that's a good thing John that's not a bad thing that's a very good thing okay okay. Prime. Minister. Norway. Strongly, supports, the, Paris. Agreement and, have expressed regret that you have decided to, leave it, what. Could persuade, you to remain and, what. Kind of common ground did, you find in your talks today on this topic. Well. It wasn't a major topic I must tell you we talked about other things including, mostly trade but I, will. Say that the Paris agreement has drawn, and as we, signed was, very unfair to the United States it, put great penalties, on us it, made it very difficult, for us to deal. In terms of business, it took away a lot of our asset. Values, we are a country. Rich in gas, and, coal and oil and lots of other things and there was a tremendous penalty, for using it it. Hurt our businesses, according, to some estimates we, would have had a closed businesses, in order to qualify by 2025. Whereas. As an example China by. 2030, they don't kick in until 2030. Russia. Someplace, in the mid 1990s. That. Was their standard, and that was never a good standard because that was a dirty. Standard. For the, environment, it. Treated, the United States very unfairly, and frankly. It's, an agreement that I have no problem with but I had a problem with the agreement that they signed because, as usual, they made a bad deal so. We could conceivably go back in but I say this we are very strong, in the, I feel very strongly about the. Environment, our EPA, and our EPA, commissioners. Are very very. Powerful. In the sense that they want to have clean, water clean.
Air But. We also want businesses, that can compete and the. Paris Accord, really. Would have taken away our competitive. Edge and we're not going to let that happen I'm not gonna let it happen. As. We talked about during this yeah. Because, we have strict regulations, on to. Reach our Paris. Targets. That. Means that we have very, strong policies, for environmentally, friendly and climate friendly technologies. In which which is a small part of why the America, why the United States now have a surplus in the economy towards Norway so, you, never miss up on a good opportunity with, good environmental. Standards. Assets. Of Norway as a thing called water and they, have tremendous, hydropower. Tremendous. In fact most of your energy your electricity is produced by. Hydro, I wish, we'd do some of that but, hydropower. Is fantastic. And it's a great asset that you have thank. You very much great honor thank you.
2018-01-15