Both the Norwegian Government and the Norwegian salmon industry want the measures removed following the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) declaration that EU sanctions against the salmon were void.

“This is a question of principle and the matter is fundamentally significant, with important industrial and trade policy aspects that need clarifying”, says Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, Lisbeth Berg-Hansen in a press release.

The US justifies its long-lasting punitive tariff as being fair, alleging Norwegian salmon breeders had a deliberate price-dumping policy when it introduced its policy in 1991.  

The Americans now claim salmon farming methods in Norway are immoral. NRK believes this is because the industry’s success threatens all pig and poultry producers in the western world.

However, the real reasons are domestic pressure, competition, and governmental free trade agreements between countries, according to NRK.

A US decision whether to continue the punitive fish duty is taken every five years and is now due for review.

Joining the battle by Norwegian authorities to get the toll lifted this time is the Norwegian salmon industry, represented by the Norwegian Seafood Federation (FHL) and Norwegian Seafood Association (NSL).

Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store believes “it is unreasonable that the anti-dumping measures should last for such a long time.”

“Our priority is now to tighten the rules on this point during ongoing negotiations with the World Trade Organization”, he says in a press release.

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