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EU RETALIATORY TARIFFS that were listed during the last Donald Trump administration “might not be the right ones this time”, Tánaiste and Minister for Trade Simon Harris has said.
Last week, Trump threatened to impose a 200% tariff on all wines and other alcoholic products, including Irish whiskey, from the EU if the bloc does not scrap its planned tax on a number of US products, such as bourbon, boats and motorbikes.
The move by the EU followed US tariffs on steel and aluminium import.
The French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said over the weekend that the European Union was probably mistaken in targeting American bourbon in its retaliation to US tariffs.
When asked about the French prime minister’s comments, Harris said he welcomed the fact that there “is an openness now” to looking at the list of retaliatory tariffs proposed by the EU.
“The sense at the start was whatever was on the list, the last time [during the first Trump administration], would automatically be rolled over. There seems to be an openness now at the European Commission to having a conversation about that. And I welcome that,” he said.
He went on to state that any countermoves should always be strategic.
Previously, there was a tit-for-tat tariff lists between the EU and the US between 2018 and 2020.
One list of tariffs came into effect immediately in June 2018, while another set were scheduled to come into force in June 2021. However, as a result of negotiations, the EU suspended all measures until 31 March 2025.
When Trump announced he was moving ahead with steel and aluminium tariffs, the EU responded with announcing the reimposition of the suspended 2018 and 2020 tariff lists.
“The retaliatory tariffs the last time might not be the right ones this time,” said Harris.
“And secondly I am conscious of the importance of the drinks industry to Ireland. We should be careful though, not to get picked off sector by sector here. It is whiskey today, a very important sector, I am not doubting that. But something else tomorrow. The broader thing that Ireland should be doing is saying that tariffs are bad,” said the Tánaiste.
Eoin Ó Catháin, Director of the Irish Whiskey Association, welcomed the Tánaiste’s comments.
“I hope that he will continue to press for the removal of US bourbon from the European Commission retaliatory list ahead of the April 2 deadline, and that he will have the government support him in this. Including US Whiskey/Kentucky bourbon is not strategic – for example, Ireland exports 53 times more Irish Whiskey than we import bourbon. We agree that tariffs do not work for anyone – and this is a position we share with our US counterparts. We’ve enjoyed tariff free trade since 1997, why risk it now?”
EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said last week that he hoped to “move forward” with the United States in de-escalating its growing trade conflict with the bloc.
Harris has warned of turbulent times ahead, stating there could be instability until an agreement is reached between the EU and US.
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How right joan burton is. Guaranteed to save millions if she goes ahead with this idea. Too many people choosing to scrounge off others. On the other hand, it is awful the amount of people that are genuinely out of work. They deserve every cent they get.
Well done to you and all the people who agree with you you’re idiots. When there was full employment in this country we were running at 3% unemployment, of those only a small proportion of people were long term unemployed. To tar the 14.7% who are currently in such difficulty is to display a level of ignorance all too common on this isle of ours. Instead of being castigated by morons as scroungers, people unfortunate enough to be unemployed should be supported and encouraged, that is essentially what any research into the matter has shown, the stereotype of someone chosing unemployment as a lifestyle choice is not supported by any evidence whatsoever and is simply a sign of ignorance on the part of anyone who blows this nonsense out of their mouths, as careless and thoughtlessly as shite comes out of a cow’s arse.
William, regardless of who is right or wrong, you might want to watch your language… you’re not going to win an argument this way
William- Firstly I dont like the way you refer to me and those who like this comment as idiots,everyone is entitled to an educated opinion & yours is appreciated once you have a valid point to make.With reference to the 14.7% who are in difficulty at the moment, it is the thoughts of myself & im sure many individuals that they well deserve to receive their social welfare as they cant find a job in this economic crisis, but to say that they have been offered a job and turned it down is another story their payments definitely should be cut. With reference to scroungers- Do you feel confident knowing those who work hard and pay their high taxes from their pay packet are paying others weekly s.w. payments so they may maintain a standard of living beyond that of which a traditional worker may have once all the bills are paid!? Our taxes are no longer being used to improve our health services, roads, create new employment etc, it is being returned to many individuals who have refused work from the day they were born. I am not criticising people who have unfortunately lost their jobs due to this economic crisis- plenty of them dont want to be on social welfare & would gladly take a job if they got one.
Or ‘receive no money’ even. Why should we foot the bill for anyone that’s too lazy to work for living?
have your say