Jens Stoltenberg, NATO's former secretary-general, will make a surprise return to Norwegian politics as finance minister, as the country faces concerns about a potential transatlantic trade war and days after its ruling coalition split up.

Jens Stoltenberg, Nato’s former secretary-general, is to make a surprise return to the frontline of Norwegian politics as finance minister, according to people familiar with the matter, as the Nordic country frets about being caught in the middle of a US-EU trade war.

OSLO - Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was set to become Norway's new finance minister on Tuesday as part of a cabinet reshuffle, broadcaster NRK and Norwegian newspapers reported, citing anonymous sources.