Global Economic Outlook with Nikolai Astrup and Espen Henriksen
Yesterday marked the first Global Economic Outlook (GEO) event of the year, one of four morning events held in collaboration with our partner, Danske Bank.
Foto: Heidi Henriksen
The event always begins with coffee, a light breakfast, and pleasant networking for all participants. We continuously strive to be a social and unifying meeting place for our members, embassies, and other bilateral chambers.
Foto: Heidi Henriksen
Foto: Heidi Henriksen
At 9:00 a.m., we welcomed participants to the panel discussion, moderated by Oslo Chamber of Commerce’s own Christopher Vonheim, with Nicolai Astrup and Espen Henriksen as panelists.
Foto: Heidi Henriksen
The panel discussion set out to explore predictions for 2026. The year 2025 marked the start of Donald Trump’s second term as President, emphasizing growing pressure on the post-World War II international order and the liberal global trading system, now facing rising tariffs and protectionism. The beginning of 2026 has proven no less turbulent, marked by intensified threats concerning the possible takeover of one NATO member state by another. What implications might this instability hold for the future, and how could the remainder of 2026 develop from both a geopolitical and an economic perspective?
Foto: Heidi Henriksen
The discussion also addressed topics such as artificial intelligence, rising public debt, the economic impact of demographic change, and Norway’s future as a trade-dependent open economy, including the role of the sovereign wealth fund.
At the end of the session, the panel opened the floor to questions from the audience.
Foto: Heidi Henriksen
We would like to thank all participants at this year’s first GEO. Thank you to everyone who asked engaging questions to the panel and contributed to enriching the session. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Danske Bank throughout 2026 and extend our gratitude to our panelists for their participation.
Foto: Heidi Henriksen
