Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

Ireland is one of the most exposed countries in the world to the US trade tariff war. Ireland exports relatively more to the US than most other European countries. Last year, we exported €72 billion worth of goods, €58 billion of which comes under the heading of pharmaceuticals and chemicals. Obviously, the Taoiseach sat in the same room as President Trump, and pharmaceuticals are a target of the US Administration. Under those threatened tariff increases, there would be a situation where these products would become more expensive to people in the US. If that happens, some of those firms will relocate the production of those materials to the US. That will lead to a fall in GDP, in corporation tax and in jobs. It would actually put our own budgetary situation in a very difficult position. We are enormously exposed in this regard. What is the Government's ability to influence the direction? I welcome the fact that the Taoiseach was in Washington DC last week to try to make a case for Ireland in that scenario, but it has to be looked at.

There is a situation where the European Union, in a retaliatory tariff, focused on the issue of Bourbon. By focusing on Bourbon, the EU put Irish whiskey in the sights of the US. A potential 200% tariff increase would make a significant difference. What influence do we have in terms of the EU's decisions regarding the trade war? How can we make sure that it protects Irish interests?

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