The Irish government believes “retaliation should not be the EU’s preferred scenario” to tariffs announced by President Trump, Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says.
Tánaiste Simon Harris will take part in an emergency meeting of EU trade ministers today to discuss the tariffs along with the EU’s trade commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič.
On Monday, President Trump signed an Executive Order placing a 25 percent duty on all steel and aluminium imports into the US. The tariffs are due to come into effect on 12th March.
Within hours of the Trump announcement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded with a combative statement warning that “unjustified tariffs on the EU will not go unanswered—they will trigger firm and proportionate countermeasures.”
But later, in a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance, she took a more conciliatory tone, telling him that the EU-US should look at their relations “with optimism”.
The virtual meeting of EU trade ministers later today will be “an opportunity to put forward Ireland’s views on the current trade situation and to listen to the views of the other 26 Trade Ministers on how they may be affected and how the EU should respond”, the department says.
“Ireland agrees with Commissioner Šefčovič that retaliation should not be the EU’s preferred scenario and is supportive of the Commission’s ongoing engagement with the US, while recognising that it is necessary for the EU to respond in a firm and proportionate way.”
In a statement ahead of the meeting, Tánaiste Simon Harris said his priority was “to protect the interests of Irish and European businesses, workers and consumers from unfair tariffs measures and to avoid an escalation of tit-for-tat tariffs.”
There are deep concerns that if the EU responds with counter tariffs, it could trigger a trade war with the US. The EU says that outcome would damage both sides economically.
“The EU-US trade and investment relationship is the biggest in the world. There is a lot at stake”, said Simon Harris.
“I believe that we should be looking at how to strengthen this deeply integrated relationship, not placing further obstacles in the way of trade flows.”
During his election campaign, Trump warned that he would place tariffs on the EU so Europe has had months to prepare.
One option would be to unfreeze tariffs which the EU placed on the US during Trump’s first term in office. Those duties targeted iconic US products including Harley Davidson motorbikes, Bourbon whiskey and Levi jeans.
“We stand united with our EU partners on the need to take action to safeguard our economic interests”, Simon Harris added.
“I support the Commission’s work in seeking early engagement with our US partners. We are ready to work with the US administration to tackle shared concerns together.