Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I think the Deputy is right and I also hope that is what it is. I learned a long time ago not to respond to every Truth Social post or every tweet. We need to be calm and substantive in our engagement here. I welcome that President von der Leyen and President Trump spoke on the phone the other evening. That provided more of a window of space for engagement. I welcome that engagement.

I also note the federal court ruling in the US that some of the tariffs imposed by the US Administration exceed President Trump's authority and that the US Administration is now appealing this ruling, so much uncertainty remains. A number of points remain unclear but what is very clear is that the European Union and Ireland will continue to do everything possible to reach a negotiated, mutually beneficial agreement with the US.

The Deputy is right, though. If we get into a situation where tariffs become the norm, that would be extraordinarily worrying. Even 10% tariffs on certain sectors of our economy and other economies in the European Union would have a real and very negative impact. We are working on this around the clock. We need to keep on pushing for a negotiated solution. We will work with the Opposition and keep it briefed, as we have done, as these negotiations progress.

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