Nordic nations trending in the United States

For Americans, the Nordic countries have previously essentially boiled down to Ikea and Abba, but recently this impression has gained more depth. Americans are genuinely interested in how Nordic societies function and whether the United States could adopt some of their ideas.

One example of the buzz is the media publicity surrounding the visit by Nordic leaders to the White House on President Barack Obama’s invitation in mid-May. The local media was ecstatic about the visit, noting President Obama’s positive attitude and even admiration towards the Nordic nations. Articles quoted Obama as saying that the Nordics are ”punching above their weight” and that ”[…] I really believe that the world would be more secure and more prosperous if we just had more partners like the Nordic countries”.

There are plenty more examples of the buzz surrounding the Nordics: in his recent documentary Where to Invade Next, filmmaker Michael Moore lauds the Finnish education system, praises Norway’s prisons and celebrates Iceland as the model country of equality. During an election debate, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said she loves Denmark, and Oprah Winfrey recommends that everyone would read Anu Partanen’s book The Nordic Theory of Everything, which will be published at the end of June.

The Nordic brand holds a world of potential. Hopefully the current atmosphere will also make it easier for Finnish companies to gain a foothold in the US markets.