‘Step-by-step’ approach to be taken on Trump’s EU tariffs, says Taoiseach
Ireland will take a “step-by-step” approach in response to any trade tariffs imposed on the EU by US President Donald Trump, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.
Mr Martin said the detail of individual moves made by the White House would be key, but he reiterated his view that tariffs posed an economic risk that could prompt a spike in inflation.
Mr Martin is expected to meet Mr Trump in the White House next month as part of the Irish premier’s traditional round of political engagements stateside to mark St Patrick’s Day, however no formal invitation has yet been issued.
The Taoiseach met Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at Shannon Airport this afternoon.
Mr Zelensky stopped off in Ireland en-route to the United States for his own meeting with Mr Trump on Friday.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Mr Martin was asked about Mr Trump’s threatened 25% tariffs on certain EU goods and how he would approach the issue when he meets the US leader.
“We’ll take it step by step,” he said.
“As I said, I think the detail of every proposal is the key here. Ireland is a small, open economy.
“In our view, free trade has created a rise in prosperity over the last 30 to 40 years that’s unprecedented in world history.
“It’s our view, and the view of the European Union, that tariffs can damage economies, can cause an inflationary spiral and increased prices for consumers.”
Donald Trump signalled that 25% tariffs on EU imports would be coming “very soon”
Mr Martin stressed that Ireland had a “wonderful relationship” with the United States.
“It’s an historic one, it’s very important to Irish people, to the Irish diaspora in the United States, over 30 million,” he added.
“And we have a very extensive footprint across the US – diplomatically, economically. I mean, in the most recent statistics Ireland is the sixth largest investor into the US, which is an extraordinary figure. But that’s the level of Irish investment into the US, the jobs we create in the US.
“So, it’s a very robust and important economic relationship, as well as culturally, socially and family-to-family as well. So, I’m looking forward to going to Washington.”
Mr Trump has reiterated his pledge to impose tariffs on the EU, telling reporters that “they’ve tariffed us”.
Speaking in the Oval Office, he appeared to refer to the Apple tax case which saw Apple pay €13 billion in back taxes to Ireland, after the company lost a fight against an order by EU competition regulators.
While using different figures, Mr Trump said that the EU “sue our companies. They sued Apple, got $16 or $17 billion dollars, which was, I think, a totally ridiculous decision”.
Mr Trump said that he does not like how the EU is treating the US.
Mr Trump yesterday signaled that said his administration would soon announce a 25% tariff on imports from the EU.
In response, the European Commission said that it will react “firmly and immediately against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade”.
“The EU will react firmly and immediately against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade, including when tariffs are used to challenge legal and non-discriminatory policies,” a commission spokesperson said.
“The EU will always protect European businesses, workers, and consumers from unjustified tariffs,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
Additional reporting Tommy Meskill
Article Source – ‘Step-by-step’ approach to be taken on Trump’s EU tariffs, says Taoiseach – RTE
