New York State Assemblyman Patrick B. Burke wants to see a bilateral trade deal between the Empire State and Ireland - this in the face of tariffs imposed on Ireland by President Trump.
Buffalo-based Burke, who chairs the Assembly's Committee on Cities, floated the idea in response to what he called the "daily chaos from Washington" where "billions of dollars get lit on fire by a petulant and uniformed president."
Said Burke: "It’s easy to lose track of some of the specifics of these policies. For those of us who care about the Irish-American relationship here’s something that shouldn’t get lost: the tariffs President Trump announced....are double on Ireland what they are on the British.
"America isn't going to be 'great again' by taxing American consumers and driving domestic inflation, hurting Irish businesses and workers and placing unnecessary stress on the peace process - specifically the Windsor Framework."
Burke said he had a bill in the Assembly that creates an Irish Trade Commission to give New York a seat at the table and promote greater trade, partnership and exchange between Ireland and our state.
"It was an important measure before Trump’s tariff announcements - but it’s even more important now," he said.
