Sole U.S. diplomatic station above Arctic Circle opened in Tromso, Norway

The United States opened a diplomatic station in Tromso, Norway on Friday, its sole such post above the Arctic Circle. 

“The Tromsø American Presence Post will strengthen our collaboration with Norway on the climate crisis, people-to-people ties, trade, and security,” Liz Allen, the State Department’s under secretary for public diplomacy and public affairs said on X. 

Honored to officially open our northernmost U.S. diplomatic outpost, the first above the Arctic Circle, in Tromsø, Norway. The Tromsø American Presence Post will strengthen our collaboration with Norway on the climate crisis, people-to-people ties, trade, and security. pic.twitter.com/X3mwos2hZc

— Liz Allen (@UnderSecPD) October 27, 2023

Allen said the new post will also facilitate closer ties with Arctic Indigenous Peoples.

“The new American Presence Post in Tromsø will fortify these people-to-people ties as we listen to, learn from, and collaborate with Indigenous communities and future Arctic leaders,” she said.

Inspired by the work of the Sami youth I met on this trip. The new American Presence Post in Tromsø will fortify these people-to-people ties as we listen to, learn from, and collaborate with Indigenous communities and future Arctic leaders. pic.twitter.com/eGsiQMk5Vr

— Liz Allen (@UnderSecPD) October 29, 2023

Station will “will further strengthen our close cooperation” says Norway

Washington revealed plans to establish the post back in June, which was to be manned by a single diplomat.

On Friday, Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the new station would help solidify the two countries’ Arctic ties.

“Norway and the US share a long and proud history of close collaboration on Arctic issues,” Eivind Vad Petersson, the State Secretary to the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affair, said on X. 

“Today’s opening of a re-established diplomatic presence in Tromsø, will further strengthen our close cooperation.”

We welcome the US back to the Norwegian #Arctic! Norway and the US share a long and proud history of close collaboration on Arctic issues. Today’s opening of a re-established diplomatic presence in Tromsø, will further strengthen our close cooperation. 🇳🇴🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/0cCZhweDoe

— Eivind Vad Petersson (@EivindVP) October 27, 2023

Canada withdrawing from Arctic

Tromso is the seat of the Arctic Council secretariat, the international forum made up of Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Russia and the United States. The city is also near the Finnish, Swedish and Russian Arctic.

But at the same time Washington is beefing up its footprint in the area, Canada has been winding down its presence.

In July, Ottawa announced it was closing its Canadian International Arctic Centre (CIAC) office in Oslo, Norway and relocating back to Canada. 

Comments, tips or story ideas? Contact Eilís at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca

Related stories from around the North:

Canada: CSIS warning Inuit leaders about covert foreign investment in Arctic, documents show, CBC News

Denmark: Danish policy prioritizes low-conflict Arctic amidst Russian tensions, Eye on the Arctic

Iceland: Nordics should aim for common approach to China’s Arctic involvement says report, Eye on the Arctic

Norway: Svalbard’s travails in a changing Arctic, Blog by Marc Lanteigne

Russia: Russian Foreign Ministry summons Norway’s Ambassador over Kirkenes incident, The Independent Barents Observer

United Kingdom: Russia’s growing dependence on China altering dynamics in Arctic, UK committee hears, Eye on the Arctic

United States: White House releases U.S. Arctic strategy implementation plan, Eye on the Arctic