Simon Harris convened a sitting of the Irish Government’s Trade Forum on Friday which was focused on the potential impact of the tariffs.
Irish Deputy Premier Simon Harris warns that further US tariffs on the EU are "highly likely" around April 2, with President Trump seemingly determined to proceed. This follows the EU's delay of countermeasures on US goods (including steel, aluminium, and bourbon) worth 26 billion euro until mid-April, intended as a response to US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. Ireland is particularly concerned about potential US tariffs on EU alcoholic drinks. Harris hopes the EU's delayed response allows for negotiations, emphasizing that tariffs harm consumers and the US-EU relationship. He regrets the US preference for "tariffs before talks" and urges focus on Irish competitiveness in light of potential trade disruption.
