Former NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, who became Norway's new finance minister on Tuesday, said engaging with the Trump administration on trade was key to avoiding tariffs as Europe braces for a potential transatlantic trade war.

General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday that he is returning to government in his native Norway as finance minister.Stoltenberg led NATO from 2014, until he handed over to current Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the beginning of October.

Former NATO head Jens Stoltenberg said he will temporarily leave his position as chair of the Munich Security Conference because he has accepted a position as Norway's finance minister.