Norway could lose over 11,000 jobs in trade agreement

If the EU and the U.S. agree on a free trade agreement, Norway may lose more than 11,000 jobs, according to a German report.

Enlarge If the EU and the U.S. agree on a free trade agreement, Norway may lose more than 11,000 jobs, according to a German report.  The effects of Norway can be large  in economic and foreign policy. U.S. and EU are our main allies, but we are also outside when this agreement now being negotiated, says Ulf Sverdrup, director of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), to the newspaper Aftenposten. In a recent report prepared by the German research institute Ifo on behalf of the Bertelsmann Foundation shows that Norway could lose about 11,500 jobs if there is agreement between the EU and the U.S. on a profound liberalization of trade. According to the report, unemployment here at home could increase by 0.44 percentage points. Today the unemployment rate of 3.5 percent.  Ten days ago announced the leaders of the U.S. and EU that it will finally begin to negotiate a free trade agreement, which is several times previously been discussions about putting in the time. Earlier this week NHO made it clear that the government must work for the EFTA, which Norway is a part of, initiate parallel negotiations with the United States. - A free trade agreement between the U.S. and the EU have long been discussed, but it is the first time they actually sit down and begin to negotiate. The challenges are many, but the will and aspirations are big on both sides, says Sverdrup. postd by Girum K.