Norway on Wednesday opposed the EU’s proposal to implement safeguard measures on ferroalloy imports, contending that the restrictions breach the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement and weaken the fundamental principles of the internal market.
Norwegian Trade and Industry Minister Cecilie Myrseth told state broadcaster NRK that the European Union had notified the government of its plan to involve Norway in the proposed safeguard measures.
“We disagree with the EU on this. The government believes that Norway should not be covered by the protective measures. We believe that the EEA Agreement does not allow Norway to be covered by such measures,” Myrseth said.
She mentioned that Oslo has been engaging in discussions with Brussels since the EU began its investigation into safeguard measures on ferroalloys last December. Myrseth added that the proposal will be examined by EU member states in the following days.
Ferroalloys are vital for steel manufacturing and other industrial production.
Norway’s Finance Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, is in Brussels for discussions with Nordic and European officials, but he stated that there is no indication that Norway will be excluded from the proposed measures.
“The EU Commission believes that this is necessary, but we disagree. We believe this is contrary to the EEA Agreement and to the idea of an open internal market,” Stoltenberg stated.
Stoltenberg also mentioned that he and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre have appealed to the EU for an exemption, but Brussels maintains that, under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, countries cannot receive preferential treatment.
Norwegian industry associations have cautioned that the proposed measures could have significant impacts on the nation’s industrial sector.
Norway accounts for approximately 43% of the EU’s ferroalloy purchases, ranking it among the bloc’s top suppliers. Industry estimates suggest that the proposed measures could put as many as 2,000 Norwegian jobs at risk.
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