Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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121. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department is taking to help farmers who are worried about the threatened imposition of US tariffs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36674/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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As a small, open economy, Ireland is sensitive to any change in global trading conditions. Therefore, any imposition of additional tariffs by the U.S. authorities will have the potential to pose significant challenges for Irish exporters of agri-food products to the US. The US is the second largest market for Irish agri-food exports, after the UK, with exports last year valued at almost €2 billion.

In April, I had the opportunity to visit the United States and see first hand how US consumers really value our premium Irish products. The additional tariff rate of 10% on all imports to the US, in place since 9^th April, directly impacts on the competitiveness of Irish agri-food exports on the US markets and make these products more expensive for consumers.

I took the opportunity in my engagement with my US counterpart, Brooke Rollins, Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture, and other senior political representatives in Washington DC, to stress the mutually beneficial trading relationship between the United States and Ireland.

The ongoing 90-day pause on the imposition of higher tariffs announced on 2^nd April has allowed space for meaningful negotiations to take place between the US and the European Union. Ireland’s position has been the same throughout these negotiations – we have sought calm, measured and comprehensive dialogue with the United States and a negotiated solution remains the goal and preferred outcome.

At the same time, we understand the need for the EU to undertake further internal preparations in case negotiations are unsuccessful. This is a sensible and measured approach. I am committed to working with stakeholders during this period and will continue to communicate Irish specific concerns to the Commission.

As part of the Government’s Trade Forum, I have also engaged in discussions on the Government’s Action Plan on Market Diversification. My Department and Bord Bia will continue to engage in the development of this Action Plan, and to collaborate across Government to optimise the impact of trade promotion and development initiatives in markets across the globe.