The US is strengthened,
Norway with a weakened EU
The US has strengthened its strategic position by securing access to critical minerals in Asia and China. The EU is falling behind and remains dependent on US military for security. Norwegian government continues to align with a weaker EU. This choice has direct consequences for Norway’s defense capability.
October 30, 2025 | INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
Image by AI/S&P
The EU is far behind in geopolitics
Trump has, through trade agreements with China and other Asian countries, secured strategic trade cooperation and access to critical minerals. The EU is far behind in the competition for critical minerals and is now to an even greater extent dependent on military security from the United States. The Labour government has chosen the losing side, which significantly affects Norway’s security.
At the Nordic Council meeting this week, Ursula von der Leyen stated that Norway is crucial for EU security, but she did not mention minerals. Trump does not hide that minerals are decisive for power and military security. European leaders avoid mentioning this connection because there is a serious shortage of minerals on the European continent.
Norway's prime minister claims Norway is prepared for war
Jonas Gahr Store said at the Nordic Council that “we are prepared for war, but we are not afraid.” It should be strongly criticized that the head of government expresses himself in a way that signals that Norway, with the EU’s help, is able to defend itself against Russia. It is not.
The EU has had, and still has, difficulties supplying enough military equipment to the war in Ukraine. The limitation is minerals, not funding. If Russia were to invade Norway or other European countries, the EU would be dependent on substantial military support from the United States. Trump yesterday entered into an agreement with China for one year of sanctions-free deliveries of critical minerals.
The US and China have concluded a one-year agreement
China has for years restricted deliveries of critical minerals, including to the defense industry, which has affected weapons production for Ukraine.
The agreement between the United States and China contributes significantly to balancing power between China and the West. At the same time, Trump has entered into mineral agreements with Japan, Thailand, Korea and Malaysia during his trip to Asia this week. Recently, the United States has also entered into anagreement with Australia, read more here. This strongly contributes to balancing power relations not only between the United States and China, but also within Asia.
The EU is paralysed
While Trump has secured minerals from several continents in eight months, the EU has been stalled. Despite extensive discussions in the EU on the defense situation, the mineral situation remains largely the same as eight months ago. The EU depends on between 70 and 90 percent imported minerals to produce weapons, a share that will increase in a conflict as demand rises significantly.
Although Norway has substantial mineral deposits in a European context, it will take many years before the minerals are extracted. The EU has announced that a concrete plan for minerals is to be in place by the end of 2025. It will be linked to the EU's minerals regulation, the CRMA, and it will include the EU's plan for control over Norwegian mineral resources, read more here.
Norwegian minerals cannot secure Europe militarily, but they can secure Norway’s own safety through mineral agreements with the United States. The government has chosen the losing side, something Norwegian citizens may pay the price for if Norway is attacked by Russia. As mentioned many times earlier here in Society and Politics, the government has failed to enter a new customs and trade agreement with Trump that could have secured Norway’s military security.
Norway is choosing the losing team
Norwegian minerals cannot secure Europe militarily, but they can secure Norway’s own safety through mineral agreements with the United States. The government has chosen the losing side, something Norwegian citizens may pay the price for if Norway is attacked by Russia. As mentioned many times earlier here in Society and Politics, the government has failed to enter a new customs and trade agreement with Trump that could have secured Norway’s military security.
The government has, through its actions and statements, created the impression that it is safer to cooperate with the EU than with the United States. Large parts of the population have supported this because there is a fundamental contempt for Trump and what is referred to as fascism. It is important to point out that Trump, through his trade agreements with other countries, has not imposed any political conditions other than the use of trade sanctions against hostile states, read more here.
The Labour government makes decisions on behalf of the population without providing insight into the real issue, and deprives the people of their democratic right to influence.
SOURCES
Reuters
Trade deal with ChinaThe Guardian
Trade deal with ChinaThe White House
Korea–US Partnership on Rare EarthsThe White House
Japan–US Framework for Critical Minerals and Rare EarthsThe White House
Malaysia–US Cooperation on Critical Mineral Supply ChainsThe White House
Thailand–US Cooperation on Critical Mineral Supply ChainsEuractiv
EU to present a concrete critical mineral plan before the end of 2025
Content on Society and Politics is based on reliable sources and actual events, providing a news-oriented perspective intented for further debate. To access the article’s author and the related debate, membership on Hudd is required.
