Norway's defense minister reaffirmed the country's commitment to supply fuel to U.S. Navy vessels after Norwegian oil and shipping company Haltbakk Bunkers announced it would cease refueling American ships. This announcement followed a heated and public clash involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance during Zelensky's recent visit to the White House.
On March 1, 2025, Haltbakk Bunkers made its decision known, declaring on social media, "No fuel for the Americans! We encourage all Norwegians and Europeans to follow our example." The company took this stance after what it called "the biggest sh*tshow ever presented 'live on TV' by the current American president and his vice president." The statement expressed outrage over the treatment of Zelensky, who reportedly faced disrespect during the Oval Office meeting, as Trump criticized his handling of the conflict with Russia.
Norway's Defense Minister, Tore Sandvik, swiftly countered the boycott, stating, "American forces will continue to receive the supplies and support they require from Norway." He stressed this was not in line with the Norwegian government's policy. Sandvik’s reassurances reflect Norway’s longstanding cooperation with the U.S. within NATO, indicating no immediate disruption to American fuel supplies.
The fiery exchange during the meeting between Zelensky, Trump, and Vance reportedly lasted about ten minutes, wherein Zelensky sought affirmation of U.S. support for Ukraine, which has been embroiled in conflict with Russia for several years. The confrontation culminated with Zelensky's abrupt departure from the White House, prompting the cancellation of planned discussions on key mineral deals between the two nations.
Haltbakk Bunkers’ CEO Gunnar Gran publicly criticized the American leaders for their behavior. He noted the company's previous stance of not dealing with Russian entities following the onset of the invasion of Ukraine. Gran labeled the incident as morally unacceptable, saying, "It made us sick... We have decided to immediately STOP as fuel provider to American forces in Norway and their ships calling Norwegian ports." According to him, the company supplied around three million liters of fuel to U.S. ships previously, but he emphasized the decision to cease operations was intended as symbolic, lacking any formal contracts.
The boycott by Haltbakk Bunkers is viewed as part of a growing movement within Nordic countries encouraging resistance against American brands. Various groups have emerged on social media advocating for the boycott of U.S. products and services, motivated by discontent over U.S. policies and the current political climate.
Gran’s bold statements reinforced the notion of this movement, as he called for others to join them, emphasizing, "No Fuel to Americans!" This rallying cry suggests not only dissent against U.S. actions but aims to inspire similar initiatives across Europe, potentially affecting American businesses operating therein.
The wider reactions to the White House meeting were mixed among political figures. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth described the situation as part of Trump's continuing efforts to bring U.S. troops home from foreign entanglements, asserting, "The President's desire to end the bloodshed in Ukraine will not be deterred." Conversely, critics of Trump, including several international leaders, expressed deep concern over the possible ramifications for U.S.-Ukrainian relations following the confrontation.
Different perspectives emerged from various ideological corners. For some Trump supporters, the confrontation highlighted America’s assertiveness, showcasing strong leadership, whereas opponents regarded it as symptomatic of declining international respect for U.S. diplomacy and relations.
The fallout from the clash continues to prompt discussions not only about U.S.-Ukrainian support but also about how American influence is perceived globally, particularly within NATO allies like Norway. With trust and cooperation hanging by a thread, it remains to be seen how effective the boycott will be against the backdrop of established defense relationships.
Political ramifications of the incident have been felt beyond Norway, as European leaders, including France’s Emmanuel Macron and Poland's Donald Tusk, expressed solidarity with Ukraine, reaffirming their commitment to supporting Zelensky. Efforts are reportedly underway among European nations to pursue peace discussions concerning the Ukraine conflict.
While Haltbakk Bunkers’ actions might resonate as individual corporate protests against Trump’s controversial policies, their broader impact on U.S.-Norway relations remains indeterminate. U.S.-Ukrainian relations, already fragile following the recent altercations, face additional scrutiny and may be at risk of deteriorative consequences from such public spats.