Writer says EU membership would weaken Iceland’s US ties

In an opinion piece published by mbl.is, Hjörtur J. Guðmundsson argues that Iceland should safeguard its interests by staying outside the European Union, saying membership would weaken the country’s ties with the United States.

Guðmundsson criticises Foreign Minister and Viðreisn leader Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir for suggesting that Iceland must choose between the United States and Europe. He says she made that case during the campaign ahead of the EU referendum, arguing that Iceland needed to join the bloc because the United States posed a threat.

He points to the recent visit to Iceland by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whom Þorgerður welcomed, and to a broader agreement between Greenlandic and Danish authorities on Greenland’s defence. Guðmundsson argues that the referendum is over and that Þorgerður no longer has a political reason to portray the United States as a danger to Iceland.

Guðmundsson says cooperation with both the east and west is desirable, but argues that EU membership would make cooperation with the United States increasingly subject to the bloc’s terms. He also warns that Iceland could be drawn into future trade disputes between the EU and the United States. He says Iceland has been less affected by US tariffs because it is outside the EU customs union, and points to pressure within the bloc for member states to speak with one voice on foreign policy.

He distinguishes cooperation between states on equal terms from the EU’s drive towards deeper integration and, ultimately, a European federal state. He also argues that decision-making power within the bloc is weighted primarily by population.

The opinion piece also criticises Þorgerður’s effort to implement Protocol 35 of the EEA Agreement as a priority rule. Guðmundsson says this would give EU rules incorporated through the agreement precedence over Icelandic law, contrary to the original basis for Iceland’s participation in the EEA and the constitution, according to a number of respected legal scholars.

He writes that, after failing to secure public backing to begin EU accession, the government is seeking to establish a similar priority for EU rules through Protocol 35. He adds that Þorgerður, distrustful of the People’s Party, hoped the Independence Party would help pass her bill on the protocol in its fourth attempt in parliament.