Taoiseach Micheál Martin has warned against any premature response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on EU exports to the United States.
Mr. Trump has already imposed tariffs of 25 percent on Canadian goods and ten percent on Chinese imports. A 25 percent rate imposed on Mexico has been sidelined for a month. Trump has warned that the EU will be next.
There are growing concerns of a trade war which could lead to the higher prices in stores.
Arriving in Brussels for an EU leaders’ meeting, Mr. Martin said he didn’t want to pre-empt any decision taken by the U.S. President.
“First of all, we have to see what happens and assess it and measure it, calibrate the impacts, and then develop our response,” he said.
“But I wouldn’t do anything prematurely right now, until we see what exactly is being proposed, if something is being proposed. What is essential is that the European Union acts as one and will act as one. And I think in unity, there is strength.”
He added: “We have managed in recent years to get inflation down. In our view, protectionism, more generally, will harm citizens no matter where they reside, and that tariffs are a negative in respect of economic development
“We’re a small, open economy. We depend on trade, and it is our view that the (European) Union has championed that, and we continue to champion that, and that Europe will work together on these issues and engage with the US in a constructive manner.”
Mr. Martin is in Brussels where he is meeting fellow EU leader to discuss EU-US relations as well as European defence.
He said: “At a time of heightened tensions around the world, we need a strong transatlantic relationship, and a Europe equipped to deal with the new types of hybrid threats. Ireland is and will remain militarily neutral, and that is well understood and respected by our fellow EU States.
“Our policy of military neutrality does not remove us from the new types of security threats, nor compromise us helping to create a more secure EU as we continue to invest and modernise our own Defence Forces. Continuing support for Ukraine will also be an important part of today’s discussions as it continues to defend itself against Russia’s brutal and immoral invasion.
“I am pleased that (British) Prime Minister Starmer will be joining us for part of our discussions. The UK is an important partner for the EU and I look forward to meeting him later.”
