George Lawlor (Wexford, Labour)
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1. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which tariffs influence Ireland’s trade relationship with the United States, particularly in terms of exports and imports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50737/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The EU and the US represents the largest bilateral trading relationship, with €4.4 billion worth of goods and services crossing the Atlantic each day. In the context of this highly important trading relationship, it is clear that imposition of large additional tariffs by the US would significantly affect Ireland’s export base.

At the Government Trade Forum on 2 July, Minister Paschal Donohoe T.D. presented updated modelling from the Department of Finance of the impacts arising from recent trade developments including on tariffs. The Government’s assessment is that the economy remains robust and will continue to grow in the short to medium term, albeit at a slightly slower pace. This modelling will be updated as part of the Government's preparations for Budget 2026.

The Joint Statement on an EU-US Framework Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair and Balanced Trade was published on 21 August. That deal confirms a single, all-inclusive 15% tariff on EU goods, including current Most Favoured Nation (MFN) rate. EU goods will therefore be subject to a 15% ceiling tariff except where the MFN rate is higher. It also provides assurance that the 15% rate will extend to pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. This provides an important shield to Irish exporters that could have been subject to much larger tariffs pending the outcomes of Section 232 US investigations into these sectors.

The Joint Statement also includes lower tariff rate carve outs for aircraft and aircraft parts, automobile and automobile parts, with further carve outs to be determined for certain products in generic pharmaceuticals and chemical precursors. These tariff rates will be at the pre-existing US MFN rate, most of which are zero.

On the import side, the EU will increase market opportunities for US exports by eliminating tariffs on industrial goods imported from the US as well as improving significantly market access in non-sensitive areas for certain seafood, nuts, dairy products, fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, processed foods, grains and planting seeds, soybean oilseeds, pork and bison meat. In general, these tariff reductions will be implemented via product-specific Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs).

Since the beginning of the negotiations, the Government has been committed to finding a solution that re-establishes stability and predictability in our trading relations with the US. This has been a complex and lengthy process. The Government has welcomed the clarity that the Joint Statement has brought to what has been a turbulent period for Irish companies doing business with the US. Importantly, the Joint Statement leaves the door open for negotiation of further tariff reductions on in the future on products of strategic common interest. The Government will continue to engage with the EU and the US on efforts to expand this list.