Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

75. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on his and other Departments' engagement with the EU and US in relation to the possibility of tariffs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47606/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Following the political agreement made by President von der Leyen and President Trump in Scotland at the end of July, on 21 August the EU and the US published a Joint Statement on an EU-US Framework Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair and Balanced Trade.

The Joint Statement confirms a single, all-inclusive 15% US tariff on EU goods. It also now provides assurance that the 15% rate will extend to pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. The Joint Statement also includes lower tariff rate exemptions for certain products, including aircraft.

This is a Framework Agreement which is a first step to negotiate a more comprehensive and formal agreement with the US in the future. Importantly, it leaves the door open for negotiation of further tariff reductions in the future on products of strategic common interest.

Therefore, it is vitally important that Government continues its engagement with the EU and US.

I remain in close contact with the European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefcovic, having held several calls with him in recent months where we have discussed US tariffs and the EU’s response. The Taoiseach is also in ongoing contact with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Both Commissioner Šefcovic and President von der Leyen are keenly aware of Irish concerns given the closely integrated nature of the Irish and US economies. I also continue to engage with my EU counterparts, most recently with the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot at the end of August.

It is also important to engage with the US on the issue. In April I met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington where I outlined to him the mutually beneficial two-way relationship between Ireland and the US and how tariffs threaten this. In August I spoke with United States Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer where I also reiterated the Irish position on tariffs and discussed the implementation of the Agreement as well as the possibility to expand the list of exemptions that can be made in areas of interest for Irish exporters. When I travel to Washington later this month I will continue this engagement with the US Administration.

As we move to a new phase in negotiations, the Irish Government will continue our efforts to work towards a mutually beneficial trading relationship between Ireland, Europe and the US.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

76. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on his and other Departments' engagement with industry and employees in relation to the possibility of tariffs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47607/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The global economic environment is changing. National and supranational policies on international trade are increasingly being shaped by protectionism and national security and geo-strategic concerns, including in some of Ireland’s largest trading partners.

To effectively navigate this more challenging international trading environment, the Government is committed to having the correct domestic structures in place to facilitate dialogue with the key affected stakeholders.

To this end, I established the Government Trade Forum in February to facilitate direct engagement with key stakeholders and decision-makers on the latest and emerging trade and investment developments. Membership of the Forum includes Ministers and senior officials from government departments, state agencies, senior business, industry and sectoral representatives, including from relevant business representative groups, trade union and other representative groups.

I have chaired eight meetings of the Government Trade Forum, most recently on 10th September. The Forum meetings have considered recent trade developments. There has also been consideration of key sectors of our economy, where the Forum has heard directly from business leaders, including in pharmaceuticals, med-tech, aviation, semi-conductors, and agri-food.

This approach will continue throughout the rest of the year. In July, the Forum agreed a new Work Plan, developed in consultation with Forum members, which envisages a consistent focus on key sectors and industries, an enhanced focus on key markets aligned with the work of our local and regional market teams, and consideration of thematic areas where they intersect with trade.

In addition to meetings of the Forum, I have engaged extensively with businesses and representative organisations since becoming Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade earlier this year. This engagement is valuable and will continue as we navigate the new trading environment.