The Taoiseach has said he deeply regrets Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on Irish imports into the United States.
Micheál Martin said the trading relationship between Europe and America is deep and benefits people on both sides of the Atlantic.
“I deeply regret the US decision to impose 20% tariffs on imports from across the European Union,” he said in a video posted on social media.
“We see no justification for this; more than €4.2 billion worth of goods and services are traded between the EU and the US daily.
“Disrupting this deeply integrated relationship benefits no one; tariffs drive inflation, hurt people on both sides of the Atlantic and puts jobs at risk.”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 2, 2025
Tánaiste and Minister for Trade Simon Harris said there are “no winners when it comes to tariffs” and had been preparing for this moment.
“As we have been doing all along, we will seek to control what we can control and influence what we can influence while drawing on unity with our EU partners as our greatest strength,” he said.
“Together with my government colleagues, my officials and the EU we will be reviewing the situation and the best way to respond in the coming hours and days.
“The EU will have to respond in a proportionate manner which protects our citizens, our workers and our businesses.”
Minister Harris added that the tariffs will be a “huge challenge to Irish exporters to the US”.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 2, 2025
The Irish Farmers Association said the difference in tariffs will impact popular Irish products like Kerrygold in the US.
It added that the fact that Britain and New Zealand will have a 10% tariff levied on their products, while EU tariffs are at 20%, will leave Ireland at a disadvantage against its competitors.
IFA President Francie Gorman predicted there will also be confusion for traders on both sides of the border.
“As it stands, tariffs in Northern Ireland will be applied at 10% ,” he said.
“But they are applied at 20% down here; our economies are intertwined, so it’ll be interesting how that plays out.
“And we’re not really sure at the moment.”
President Trump described yesterday as 'one of the most important days in US history' and has predicted the policy will “supercharge our industrial domestic base”.
Main image: Taoiseach Micheal Martin in Austin, Texas in March 2025. Picture by: Alamy.com
