Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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65. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on developments in relation to EU-US trade talks. [38055/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The EU-US negotiations are at a critical juncture. Our position has always been clear: tariffs threaten the hugely successful EU-US and Ireland-US relationships and are bad for business, bad for consumers and bad for workers on both side of the Atlantic.

Since April, many Irish exports to the US have been subject to an additional 10% tariff. The imposition of these tariffs has had a negative impact on all types of businesses, from multinational companies to small, medium and micro enterprises.

The extension of the deadline for the end of the US pause on higher tariffs from Wednesday 9 July until Friday 1 August allows for further time for negotiations to continue. This is welcome. However, the Commission is working towards reaching an agreement as soon as possible in advance of this.

The EU and Ireland’s objective has always been to find a fair, balanced mutually beneficial negotiated solution. The intention has been to limit the impact of the existing 10% baseline tariff but also to avoid any additional tariffs being introduced. We want to reach an agreement in principle which will give much needed certainty to businesses operating on both sides of the Atlantic. In this framework my priority is to achieve zero for zero arrangements for as many sectors as possible.

The Government Trade Forum is attended by senior Government ministers, business and other key representative groups. Last Wednesday I chaired the sixth meeting of the Forum which focused on protecting Irish jobs and the economy. At the meeting I updated members on my recent engagement with Commissioner Šefcovic and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The Minster for Finance presented updated modelling from the Department of Finance of the impacts arising from recent trade developments including on tariffs. The Forum also had an opportunity to consider its Work Plan and received an update on the development of the Action Plan on Market Diversification. There was also a presentation on Ireland’s new national semiconductor strategy ‘Silicon Island’ and a discussion with sectoral representatives.

Preparations to respond to tariffs are being coordinated through the High-Level Group on EU Policy which comprises senior officials from across all Government departments. The Group has met frequently to discuss the latest developments on the EU-US dispute. It is an important coordinating mechanism for Irish positions, as well as in the preparation of our positions in relation to EU rebalancing measures.

A meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on Trade will also take place next Monday 14 July in Brussels and will be an opportunity to discuss recent progress with Commissioner Šefcovic and our EU partners.