Frykter EU dropper Norge etter USA-toll

Norge and the European Union face potential tariffs discrimination when exporting goods to the United States, according to the Norwegian Chamber of Commerce (NHO). The issue arises if a European product contains too much Norwegian content, causing it to lose its EU origin and face higher tariffs when shipped across the Atlantic.

The White House has signaled that the new EU-US agreement's origin rules will be strict, which worries NHO's international director, Petter Tollefsen. The White House report suggests clearer rules and more AI-based border control, potentially leading to stricter origin verification. NHO fears this may limit or exclude the use of foreign inputs in European exports to the US.

The US imposed 12.5% additional tariffs on Norway in response to its inadequate labor laws, while EU members received 10% extra. NHO also worries about Norwegian companies exporting to the EU, which then further export to the US. While it's challenging to quantify the impact, Tollefsen believes it could affect significant revenues given Norway's extensive trade with the EU.

Economists at Oslo University warn that strict origin rules could reduce trade involving high-value inputs from non-free trade countries. A Norwegian battery in an EU-made electric car, for instance, would no longer be considered an EU product in the UK, losing its duty-free status. The Norwegian aluminum company Raufoss Aluminium, which shipped $586 million last year, with 36% from non-Norwegian customers, sees no immediate impact from changing tariffs or import patterns.

However, they acknowledge geopolitical uncertainty and the need for robust supply chains could benefit Norway as an export platform.