Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris have commented on the potential tariffs that US President Trump could impose on the European Union, including Ireland.
US tariffs - taxes levied on imported goods and services - could have an impact on Ireland's economy as the US is Ireland’s top export destination. According to the US Department of State, 27% of all Irish goods exports go to the US. Irish goods exports to the US include pharmaceutical products, organic chemicals, optical/medical instruments, and beverages.
The Taoiseach commented in Brussels on Monday, February 3 ahead of an EU Leader’s informal retreat.
“In terms of the US-EU relationship, it is the biggest economic relationship in the world and a very significant one,” the Taoiseach said in Brussels on Monday.
“We have managed in recent years to get inflation down.
“In our view, protectionism, more generally, will harm citizens no matter where they reside, and that tariffs are a negative in respect of economic development.
“We’re a small open economy. We depend on trade. It is our view that the Union has championed that and we continue to champion that and Europe will work together on these issues and engage with the US in a constructive manner.”
A very important meeting of EU leaders today covering three fundamental issues; the EU-US relationship, the EU-UK relationship, and security – a key existential issue for many EU states following Russia’s aggression and invasion of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/IBZ80Dt8qU
— Micheál Martin (@MicheálMartinTD) February 3, 2025
“The European Union has to act as one," the Taoiseach further said on Monday when asked how the EU should respond to US tariffs, according to the PA.
“We are an economic entity, we have a single market.”
He added: “First of all, we have to see what happens and assess it and measure it, calibrate the impacts, and then develop our response.
“But I wouldn’t do anything prematurely right now, until we see what exactly is being proposed, if something is being proposed.
“What is essential is that the European Union acts as one and will act as one.
“And I think in unity, there is strength.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin. (RollingNews.ie)
'Would not benefit Ireland'
Meanwhile, Simon Harris, Ireland's Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Minister for Defence, echoed the Taoiseach's sentiments in a statement on Sunday evening.
"Our view remains that increased protectionism is not in the interests of businesses or the global economic environment, and would not benefit the EU, Ireland, or the US," Harris said, according to the Irish Independent.
He added: “Ireland is at the center of the European Union and any imposition of tariffs on the EU would create significant challenges.
“Europe must and will work collectively and with the United States to avoid such a situation emerging, and if necessary to mitigate any measures taken.
“The US and the EU are dependent on each other. I have suggested to European colleagues the need for an EU-US summit to formally engage on economic issues.
“I also believe EU foreign ministers should meet with the new US Secretary of State [Marco Rubio]. We can do business with President Trump and ensure Ireland’s long economic, political, diplomatic, and cultural relationship with the United States continues.”
The Tánaiste added that he was “very concerned, like all world leaders," about the potential economic shocks from any decision by Trump to impose trade tariffs on the EU.
Tánaiste Simon Harris. (RollingNews.ie)
"Pretty soon"
The Taoiseach and Tánaiste were responding after President Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday that the US is "absolutely" going to place tariffs on the European Union.
“The European Union has treated us so terribly," he said.
On Saturday, the White House announced that Trump is "implementing a 25% additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% additional tariff on imports from China," taking effect on Tuesday. Canada, in turn, announced on Saturday "retaliatory" tariffs on American goods.
The President reiterated his tariff intentions for the EU on Sunday. When asked what countries could be facing tariffs next, and if the UK will face tariffs, Trump said: "We're going to see what happens. It'll happen. Might. We'll see how things work out. It might happen with that.
"It will definitely happen with the European Union, I can tell you that. Because they've really taken advantage of us.
"You know we have over a $300 billion deficit. They don't take our cars, they don't take our farm products, they take almost nothing and we take everything from them, millions of cars, tremendous amounts of food and farm products."
Trump said: "[The] UK is out of line, but I'm sure that one, I think that one can be worked out, but the European Union is, it's an atrocity what they've done."
He continued: "With the European Union, it's a $350 billion deficit. So obviously something's going to take place there."
He added: "I wouldn't say there's a timeline, but it's going to be pretty soon."
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On Monday evening, the Associated Press reported that Trump agreed to pause tariffs on Canada and Mexico for 30 days after the two countries pledged to boost border enforcement.
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