EU Safeguard Measures on Metals Won't Hurt Norway, Juncker Says

(Bloomberg) -- Potential “safeguard” measures by the European Union to counter increased U.S. tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum won’t affect Norway, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said.

The EU and other U.S. allies are planning tit-for-tat tariffs on U.S. goods and other countermeasures after the Trump administration said it is imposing steel and aluminum duties on them. The European Commission, the EU executive, is considering so-called “safeguard” measures to protect EU producers from any surge in imports resulting from a controversial U.S. tariffs.

“As we consider safeguard measures, I have assured the prime minister that we are working on a solution to soften any possible knock-on impact this could have on Norway,” Juncker told reporters in Brussels after meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg. “In fact, there will be no impact at all on Norway.”

Solberg welcomed Juncker’s announcement, saying “the U.S. is using tariffs as pressure to gain benefits for their own businesses.”

Juncker also told Solberg that the U.K.’s decision to leave the 28-nation bloc won’t impact Norway or its relations with the EU.

“In no way should Norway suffer from Brexit and its consequences,” Juncker said. “We are taking this very seriously because Norway is our closest friend in the region. And what is under way of being negotiated with Britain will harm in no way Norway,” he said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jones Hayden in Brussels at jhayden1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Fergal O'Brien at fobrien@bloomberg.net

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