The European Commission has once again delayed its decision on whether to grant Iceland and Norway an exemption from the Union’s safeguard tariffs on ferrosilicon. Originally set for Friday, the announcement was postponed to today, only to be pushed back once more, with a meeting now rescheduled for tomorrow.
According to Björn Malmquist, Brussels correspondent for RÚV, members of Alþingi’s foreign affairs committee were unaware of this latest postponement when RÚV reached out to them shortly before 8 a.m. However, Norwegian media have since confirmed the delay, with TV2 reporting that a decision is anticipated on Thursday.
Malmquist suggests that these repeated postponements indicate a lack of secure support for the proposal to deny the exemption and may even signal increasing backing for Iceland and Norway’s position.
“The fact that this meeting has been postponed twice suggests, I think, that there isn’t sufficient support for the proposal as it stands,” he noted.
Leaders from both Iceland and Norway have worked tirelessly to persuade EU member states that their countries, being part of the internal market, deserve different treatment compared to nations like China and India. Additionally, reports indicate that Swedish authorities are advocating on behalf of Iceland and Norway.
Alþingi’s foreign affairs committee will hold a dedicated meeting on this issue today, the only item on their agenda. When asked what actions Iceland could pursue if the exemption is denied, Pawel Bartoszek, the committee’s chair, highlighted provisions within the EEA Agreement that could be invoked in such circumstances.
“The EU’s safeguard measures are not aligned with the EEA Agreement,” he stated. “While I wouldn’t call it an emergency measure, the EEA Agreement contains mechanisms for resolving disputes over its interpretation. Typically, this would involve referring matters to the Joint EEA Committee.”
This morning, the committee met to discuss this critical issue, with foreign minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir in attendance. She described the current situation as uncertain, though the repeated delays could indicate that Iceland and Norway’s arguments are resonating with EU member states.
“It is fairly uncommon for votes to be postponed multiple times, suggesting ongoing discussions among EU member states,” Þorgerður Katrín observed. “This issue touches on fundamental aspects of the EEA Agreement, raising significant concerns for us in Iceland.”
“We have engaged in extensive communications regarding this matter, both today and over the weekend,” she added. “We are actively working with Norwegian counterparts to safeguard Icelandic interests.”
Actions to be Taken
Should the EU uphold its decision on safeguard measures, Þorgerður assures that Iceland is prepared to take action.
“We have a plan ready for how to proceed if that outcome arises, and we’ve shared this strategy with the committee. Once the decision is announced, we’ll make our response clear, although I remain hopeful for a favorable outcome.”
Malmquist further elaborated that the reasons behind the latest postponement remain unclear. However, it can be inferred that the recent advocacy from the Norwegian and Icelandic governments may have influenced this delay.
“The Commission introduced this proposal last Tuesday, expecting a decision on Friday,” he explained. “When that was postponed to today, we learned last night it would be pushed to tomorrow—confirmation reached me early this morning.”
A special committee from the European Commission, consisting of representatives from all 27 member states, will ultimately decide the matter. To reach a conclusion, a qualified majority is necessary—specifically, the support of fifteen states, representing 65% of the EU population.
“The vote isn’t solely about the exemption for Norway and Iceland; it’s about the broader proposal for safeguard measures, and we’re uncertain of the current dynamics,” Malmquist concluded.
This article has been updated to include comments from Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir.
