Tánaiste Simon Harris has expressed hope that the European Commission’s proposed €100 billion in countermeasures against US tariffs will never need to be enforced, reports The Mirror.
The European Commission released the proposed tariff list today, which targets key American sectors such as agriculture, alcoholic drinks, aviation, and automobiles.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the potential levies as negotiations between the EU and the US continue in search of a trade agreement, reports The Mirror.
The tariffs would only come into effect if the talks collapse. A four-week consultation period is now underway, during which EU member states and stakeholders will be able to provide feedback.
Speaking on the matter, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris said the Irish Government will assess the proposed countertariffs in the coming days and that the objective is to avoid their implementation, reports The Mirror.
“The Government supported the suspension of the EU’s previous package of countermeasures in relation to steel and aluminium. This has helped create important space for negotiations,” he said, reports The Mirror.
“A negotiated solution remains very clearly the goal and the preferred outcome. I strongly support this position. This is also the message I have been delivering in all my bilateral contacts with both the US and EU partners. At the same time, I understand the need for the EU to undertake further internal preparations in case negotiations are unsuccessful. This is a sensible and measured approach,” Harris added, reports The Mirror.
He said the overall value of the countermeasure package lies between €95 billion and €100 billion, spanning sectors such as electronics and medical products.
Among the areas likely to raise concerns for Irish interests are thoroughbred horses and aircraft, particularly as Ryanair has approximately €30 billion in orders placed with Boeing, reports The Mirror.
There is also concern about potential tariffs on services, which could impact major tech firms—a crucial industry for Ireland’s economy.
Finance Minister Jack Chambers also addressed the issue on RTÉ News at One, reiterating that the EU remains committed to a negotiated settlement with the US.
“This is solely preparatory in the context of negotiations, which are happening in parallel, but the EU must prepare itself for all eventualities,” he stated, reports The Mirror.
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