Tánaiste to attend Meeting of EU Trade Ministers

Tánaiste Simon Harris will take part in an extraordinary meeting of EU Trade Ministers in Luxembourg on Monday.

This meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on Trade has been called to allow Ministers exchange views and share insights on the way ahead less than a week after the US Administration announced sweeping global tariffs, including blanket 20% tariffs on imports from the EU. This followed previous announcements of tariffs on aluminium and steel, and on the automotive sector last month.

The Tánaiste will discuss with his fellow Trade Ministers how the EU should respond to the US actions and make the case for a calm and measured response.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Tánaiste said: “Ireland deeply regrets the recent announcements of US tariffs on EU goods. It is extremely disappointing that we have ended up here.

“Today’s meeting is an important moment for EU Ministers to come together and reflect on next steps.

“I will make clear to my Trade Minister counterparts Ireland’s commitment to EU unity, and the need to take a firm, but proportionate response, while working towards a negotiated solution.

“A trade war is in no one’s interest. While we are disappointed that we have reached this point, we must continue dialogue and negotiation. There is always time to strike a deal.”

EU-China trade relations is also on the agenda. Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Šefčovič will debrief on his visit to Beijing in late March. Ministers will have an opportunity to exchange views on trade challenges with China and the potential impacts on the EU-China trading relationship of heightened trade tensions arising from the recent US announcements on trade tariffs.

On China, the Tánaiste said: “We should not close ourselves off to trading with China. Quite the contrary. Engagement and dialogue remain necessary, including to make clear to China the problems we face with its non-market policies and practices, as well as our resolve to act to defend fair competition and a level playing field. When I met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in late February, I stressed these very points.”