Tánaiste Simon Harris said he intends to emphasize that “there are no winners when it comes to tariffs, there are no winners when it comes to a trade war,” ahead of his upcoming visit to the US for talks with officials from the Trump administration, reports RTE.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs noted that EU representatives are prepared to travel to the US at short notice for negotiations.
Speaking outside Government Buildings before briefing Cabinet colleagues on his discussions with EU trade ministers in Luxembourg yesterday, Mr Harris expressed satisfaction with the EU’s unified stance on trade and tariffs, reports RTE.
He said positive steps had been taken to “protect key industries that there were particular concerns in relation to”.
When asked to specify which industries were in question, he deferred to the European Commission but acknowledged concerns over the drinks and dairy industries.
He reiterated that no one benefits from trade conflicts but expressed confidence that meaningful steps have been taken to reduce risks to certain vital sectors in Ireland, reports RTE.
The Tánaiste said significant value has already been lost due to recent upheaval in the stock markets.
He said it’s common for countries to view tariffs through their own lens, but stressed the broader risk: “if you start to see a trade war that drags down the global economy” it will impact overall economic growth, jobs, and investment across the board, reports RTE.
“That’s what we have to avoid at all costs. This level of uncertainty, this level of financial turmoil simply can’t be sustained by any economy including, respectfully in my view, the US,” reports RTE.
While in the US, he will advocate for free and fair trade, stressing the importance of negotiation over “slapping tariffs” and said “our job is to be mature, measured and calm in how we respond to this”, reports RTE.
Mr Harris is heading to Washington later for meetings with members of Congress and senior officials in the administration, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
This marks his second visit to the US in as many months, and he hopes it will help maintain open channels of communication and present the case for resolving trade tensions through dialogue.
Mr Harris said he plans to present the EU’s ongoing efforts to move toward talks and stressed that solutions can be found if discussions take place, reports RTE.
He is scheduled to meet Mr Lutnick, a staunch advocate for US tariffs, along with various prominent Capitol Hill lawmakers.
During these talks, Mr Harris will share Ireland’s concerns about the possible effects of tariffs on the pharmaceutical sector, while also discussing global issues and Northern Ireland, reports RTE.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin stated it is “imperative” that negotiations with the US begin soon to avoid a possible recession “unless some developments” can be made.
Arriving at the Cabinet meeting, he said China’s reaction to the US tariffs has been “very severely” but he believes the EU’s measured response has so far been appropriate.
He said the EU has countermeasures ready, although it hopes not to use them unless required, reports RTE.
The Taoiseach shared that he has recently spoken with several American firms, including in the pharmaceutical industry, and said they are “very anxious” to see the US and EU reach a negotiated agreement.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon will also be in Washington, where he will meet the US Agriculture Secretary to discuss how Mr Trump’s tariffs are affecting Irish agricultural exports, reports RTE.
He will also speak with the assistant US Trade Representative for Europe and the Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
Bord Bia reported that Ireland exported nearly €2 billion worth of food and drink products to the US last year, reports RTE.
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