U.S. prioritizes other countries over Iceland

Icelandic authorities are in active discussions with business representatives on how to respond to the United States’ tariff increase on imported goods from Iceland. The government has requested talks with U.S. officials, but no reply has been received.

Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir told mbl.is after today’s cabinet meeting in Stykkishólmur:

“It is clear that the U.S. government is focusing on how to protect and strengthen the American car fleet and how to boost American agriculture. These are, of course, issues we are reviewing and discussing.
There are naturally other things we Icelanders can do, which is why dialogue with the business sector is so important — they should also have a role when we enter into these talks,” Gunnarsdóttir said, adding that it is evident Iceland is not high on the U.S. government’s priority list.

Prioritizing countries with higher tariffs

“They are prioritizing countries that have much higher tariffs and perhaps slightly greater interests and larger sums at stake. That doesn’t change the fact that we are ready and intend to be prepared when that conversation begins,” Gunnarsdóttir said.

She expressed hope that Iceland’s delegation in the United States will continue seeking dialogue with Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade representative.