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.

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.

NATO's former Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is set to become Norway's next finance minister on Tuesday, the country's finance ministry confirmed to CNBC.