The European Commission has delayed its final decision on protective measures for silicon metal — again. The repeated postponements are feeding speculation that Norway and Iceland will not receive exemptions from those measures.
The issue was front and centre at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Alþingi earlier today, where Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir was in attendance. She described the situation as genuinely ambiguous, though she said the delays themselves carry meaning — they suggest that the case being made by Iceland and Norway is finding some sympathy among EU member states.
“Such delays are quite uncommon,” Þorgerður Katrín noted, pointing to them as a sign that real discussions are happening inside the bloc. Her deeper concern, however, is that what is being decided here touches on fundamental changes to the EEA Agreement — changes she feels are not getting the attention they deserve.
“As Icelanders, this is a significant issue for us,” she said, adding that her ministry has been in constant contact with partners throughout the weekend and into today. “We’ve had numerous conversations, and we’re fully utilizing today to safeguard Icelandic interests in collaboration with Norway,” she added.
Preparing for Action
If the EU does uphold the protective measures, Þorgerður made clear that Iceland is not without options. “We have prepared for the possible course of action we might take if the decision turns against us. We discussed this confidentially in advance and briefed the committee accordingly. Ultimately, the clarity of our next steps will depend on the final decision, and I’m still hopeful for a favorable outcome,” she remarked.
Uncertainty Surrounding the Delay
The exact reason for the postponements is still not known, but Björn Malmquist, RÚV’s Brussels correspondent, offered some context during the noon news. His read is that the recent arguments from both the Norwegian and Icelandic governments may be disrupting what was supposed to be a straightforward timeline.
“The executive board presented its proposal last Tuesday, originally set for a decision on Friday. It was postponed to today, then again until tomorrow. I learned early this morning that the decision had been delayed yet again,” Björn explained.
The final call rests with a special committee inside the Commission, made up of representatives from all 27 member states. A binding vote requires at least 15 countries representing 65% of the EU’s population to agree.
“It’s important to note that the vote is not specifically about exemptions for Norway and Iceland; it’s about the broader proposal regarding protective measures. The exact dynamics of the situation remain somewhat murky,” he noted, adding that sources indicate Sweden has been advocating on behalf of both countries, while other nations have abstained from voting altogether.
