The Norwegian ferroalloys industry reacts strongly to the EU’s tariff introduction on ferroalloys. Finnfjord AS fears a more uncertain future for production.
The EU has adopted tariffs and minimum prices on ferroalloys, which affects Norwegian industry and places Norway outside the EU’s customs wall.
NHO believes this is serious and warns of weakened competitiveness for Norwegian companies in the EU market.
The EU is Norway’s most important trading partner, and it is crucial to avoid a precedent that could create further problems in the future.
Strong Reaction
The industry is reacting strongly to the EU’s introduction of tariffs on ferroalloys and fears that they have uncertain times ahead.
On Tuesday, the EU countries adopted protective measures such as tariffs and minimum prices on ferroalloys, and Norway ends up outside the EU’s tariff wall.
The Confederation of Norwegian Industries (NHO) believes it is serious that Norway is falling outside when the EU sees a growing need to protect its own industry.
They are among several who are reacting strongly after the EU’s decision that Norway ends up outside the tariff wall on ferroalloys.
More Uncertainty For Finnfjord AS
The Finnfjord smelter in Finnsnes in Troms is a producer of ferrosilicon, which is used in the steel industry. They are more concerned about the future, writes E24.
“This leads to greater uncertainty about what the future will bring. We believe that it will make us less competitive in general. We cannot rule out that the temporary effect will be positive, but in the long term we believe it will be negative,” says Finnfjord CEO Geir-Henning Wintervoll to E24.
“As I see it, the EU has now, for the first time since the EEA agreement was signed, introduced trade restrictions. This is not a good development,” says the Finnfjord boss.
“The EU has decided to introduce protectionist measures on ferroalloys, which also affect Norwegian business. It is serious that Norway is left out when the EU sees a growing need to protect its own industry. This has consequences for Norwegian businesses and jobs,” says CEO Ole Erik Almlid of NHO.
He says that the EEA agreement remains crucial for Norway and business, but it shows that the process does not always protect us against measures from the EU.
“And it weakens Norwegian competitiveness when Norwegian businesses are given worse conditions in the competition in our most important market,” says Almlid.
“The EU is our most important trading partner, accounting for two-thirds of Norwegian exports and supporting 410,000 full-time equivalents throughout the country. It is therefore crucial to avoid this case creating a precedent and future problems.”
Source: NRK (in Norwegian)