President Trump unveiled his tariff sheet outside the White House Wednesday evening.
And it included 20 percent tariffs aimed at the European Union, Ireland included.
There was no immediate imposition of tariffs on pharmaceutical products, a matter of some relief to the Irish government.
But such tariffs are expected down the road.
Reacting to Trump's sweeping tariffs Taoiseach Micheál Martin said there was “no justification” for them
“More than €4.2 billion worth of goods and services are traded between the EU and the US daily,” said the taoiseach, and as reported by the Irish Times.
“Disrupting this deeply integrated relationship benefits no one. Tariffs drive inflation, hurt people on both sides of the Atlantic, and put jobs at risk. We will now reflect with our EU partners on how best to proceed.
“As I agreed with President von der Leyen in our recent phone call, EU unity is crucial, and our response should be considered and measured.
“Any action should be proportionate, aimed at defending the interests of our businesses, workers and citizens.
“Now is a time for dialogue, and I believe that a negotiated way forward is the only sensible one. A confrontation is in no one’s interests. Ireland will be a strong advocate for an outcome which enhances the existing and strong transatlantic trading relationship.
“As a small, open economy, and as a country that has built our prosperity on a policy of free and fair trade, there is no doubt that the imposition of tariffs by the US will have an adverse impact.
“Ireland’s priority is the protection of jobs and our economy. We are starting from a position of strength, and our economy is resilient. It is important that we focus on factors that we can control, including improving our competitiveness and investing in infrastructure.
“By working with Irish-owned companies, multinationals, our EU partners and bilaterally with the US, we can and will weather this storm.”
The UK escaped the 20 percent tariff level. Trump is imposing a lower ten percent rate on the UK and that includes Northern Ireland.
The varying tariff levels on the island of Ireland will likely cause complications, the precise nature of which will become apparent in the coming days and weeks.
First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she was "anxious" for business in the North.
President Trump imposed tariffs on over 60 countries and territories, including some uninhabited islands in the Antarctic. The penguins are not expected to retaliate but the EU, a reluctant Ireland included, most certainly will.
