Simon Harris says there are signs of “positive momentum” in tariff talks between the EU and the US.
His comments came after a video call with the United States Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, yesterday.
There are only a few weeks left before Donald Trump’s pause on across-the-board 20 percent tariffs on EU goods is due to expire.
The EU is trying to convince the US to do away with tariffs in a ‘zero for zero’ deal.
However the EU now believes that the US will be unable to climbdown completely and that some tariffs at least will be imposed.
The EU has threatened to retaliate with massive countermeasures if US tariffs are placed on the European Union. The United States already taxes EU steel, aluminium and cars.
Earlier this week business association Ibec warned that €11 billion in Irish imports from US at risk if the EU-US spiral into a trade war.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris TD, yesterday held what was described by Dublin as a “positive virtual meeting” with United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer.
“The Tánaiste and Ambassador Greer discussed recent trade developments, including a constructive exchange of views on the ongoing negotiations between the US and EU”, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
The Tánaiste said Ireland has a “hugely successful two-way economic relationship between the US”
“I explained how tariffs threaten this relationship and are bad for business, bad for consumers and bad for workers on both side of the Atlantic”, he said following the meeting.
Simon Harris said he reiterated that “negotiations remain the main focus for both the EU and Ireland and welcomed the recent positive momentum, including Ambassador Greer’s recent meeting with [European Trade] Commissioner Šefčovič.”
The Tánaiste added: “I assured Ambassador Greer of Ireland’s commitment to supporting a mutually beneficial agreement that works for the US and the EU and noted his recent positive meeting with Commissioner Šefčovič in Paris. The Ambassador and I agreed to remain in contact as we seek to bring this trade dispute to an end.”
Trump tariffs are due to come fully into force on 8 July although he has hinted that some countries could be given more time to complete deal with the US.