Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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72. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position on all developments relating to EU-US trade talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42180/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Following negotiations in Scotland on 27 July, the EU and US reached a deal on reciprocal trade. This deal means that the higher tariffs that had been threatened will not now take effect and that the EU will not impose its own countermeasures. This deal provides much needed certainty for Irish, European and American businesses who together represent the most integrated trading relationship in the world.

This is an across the board deal and is all inclusive. While we will examine the detail of the agreement in the coming days it is our understanding from President von der Leyen, that this rate of 15% is a ceiling on any potential tariffs that may be imposed following the conclusion of the section 232 investigations, including those relating to pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. The EU will continue to work with the US to underline the closely integrated nature of the EU and US pharmaceutical sector.

The Commission President has also confirmed that there has been agreement on zero tariff levels on a number of key strategic products – including all aircraft and component parts, certain chemicals, certain agricultural products, semiconductor equipment, natural resources and critical raw materials. Ireland had made the case throughout these negotiations for zero for zero arrangements in as many sectors as possible. As the framework negotiations continue the EU will keep working to add more products.

Last week the EU Member States endorsed a plan to impose countermeasures on 7 August, if no deal was reached with the US. Our expectation is that the Commission will come forward in the coming days with a proposal to suspend these countermeasures. Officials will maintain very close contact with the Commission in the coming period as the final details of the agreement are clarified.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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73. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to detail new trade partners and confirm the strengthening of trading partnerships to date in 2025 by his Department to diversify Irish trade opportunities in the context of the continuing threat of US tariffs and trade instability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42181/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. My Department, working closely across Government with other relevant Departments and the State agencies, works consistently to support Irish businesses in international markets.

My Department in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has developed an Action Plan on Market Diversification, which will be published shortly. The Action Plan provides a clear roadmap for a ‘whole of government’ approach to enhance Ireland’s economic and trading relationships with new and emerging markets in Asia, Latin America and the Gulf. It will also include actions in established markets, such as the EU Single Market, the UK and the US, where there is value to be maintained and potentially more value available.

The Plan will also provide for enhanced engagement through bilateral economic commissions, such as the new Joint Economic Commission agreed last year with the United Arab Emirates.

Effective delivery of the Action Plan will require concerted action across the whole of government and engagement with other key stakeholders including those in the Government Trade Forum, State Agencies and business representatives.

As we diversify our markets, our membership of the EU and the access it provides to the growing network of EU free trade agreements offers an important opportunity for Irish businesses. The Government supports the EU Commissions negotiations with new trade markets, such as those underway with the Philippines, Malaysia, India and the UAE. We must embrace these new opportunities for trade and investment, which helping to support our domestic growth without compromising on the EU's high standards on food safety, animal and plant health, environmental and human rights.

The Government has invested significantly in Ireland’s overseas diplomatic missions and State agency offices as part of Global Ireland 2025, which provide an important platform to leverage opportunities and grow our trade partnerships. Later this year, new embassies will open in Belgrade, Sarajevo, and Chisinau. Preparations are ongoing to open consulates general in Malaga and Melbourne in 2026. Enterprise Ireland recently announced the opening of three new overseas offices in the US, UK and Europe – in Atlanta, Scotland and Switzerland – expanding our engagement in key export markets.