Nordic AmChams Live: U.S. Presidential Inauguration and Election Debrief

On Monday, AmCham Sweden collaborated with the Nordic AmChams to host a debrief on the U.S. presidential inauguration and election. CEO of AmCham Finland Alexandra Pasternak-Jackson moderated the event while the Managing Director of AmCham Sweden, Peter Dahlen, Managing Director of AmCham Norway, Jason Turflinger, and the Executive Director of AmCham Denmark, Stephen Brugger, fielded questions on U.S. trade policy, new ambassadors to the Nordic countries, and cultural shifts in the United States after the election.

The directors discussed the most frequent questions they have received from members as President Trump takes office, what they have heard from their contacts in Washington, D.C., about the transition, and what to expect with any tariffs that the new administration imposes. The directors considered the risk of the U.S. government declaring the U.S. trade deficit to be a state of economic emergency and imposing 10 to 20 percent tariffs on all goods and services. Peter Dahlen of AmCham Sweden framed this change as an opportunity for Nordic businesses to develop their competitive advantage and demonstrate their unique value to the U.S. market. 

Stephen Brugger of AmCham Denmark and Alexandra Pasternak-Jackson of AmCham Finland further emphasized how digital services could be affected by new U.S. trade policies when there is not yet a digital trade agreement between the United States and European countries. Pasternak-Jackson pointed out that the Nordic countries are uniquely poised to lead this conversation because of their network readiness. 

In closing, the directors shared what Nordic AmCham members should watch for in President Trump’s first 100 days in office and encouraged members to stay connected with the AmChams Nordics to make sense of the changing administration. 

For more information on the U.S. 2024 Presidential Election, please visit www.amcham.se/uselection