From the Liveblog of
Thursday, September 4, 2025
US ‘very troubled’ by Norway’s divestment from Caterpillar for supplying gear to Israel
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WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump’s administration says it’s “very troubled” by the divestment by Norway’s $2 trillion wealth fund from US construction equipment group Caterpillar, adding Washington is directly engaging with the Norwegian government on the issue.
Norway’s $2 trillion wealth fund, the world’s largest and operated by Norway’s central bank, said last week it had divested from Caterpillar on ethics grounds over the use of the company’s products by Israeli authorities in Gaza and the Israeli-controlled West Bank.
The fund’s ethics watchdog said that in its assessment, Caterpillar’s products such as bulldozers it manufactured were being used by Israeli authorities “to commit extensive and systematic violations of international humanitarian law” such as the “widespread unlawful destruction of Palestinian property.”
The fund said Caterpillar has “not implemented any measures to prevent such use.” Caterpillar has not responded to requests for comment on the wealth fund’s move.
“We are very troubled by the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund’s decision, which appears to be based on illegitimate claims against Caterpillar and the Israeli government,” a US State Department spokesperson says.
“We are engaging directly with the Norwegian government on this matter.”
Trump ally and Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham has suggested Washington should impose tariffs and visa revocations in retaliation.
The Times of Israel Community.