From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, and the Minister for State, Martin Heydon TD, today welcomed the announcement by both the EU Commission and the Office of the United States Trade Representative of a four month suspension of tariffs on selected exports and imports between both blocs. These tariffs were introduced on selected Irish agri-food exports to the US in October 2019.
The Minister in welcoming the announcement stated:
"Today’s announcement is a great opportunity, for both the EU and United States, to engage in a constructive dialogue to find a permanent resolution to these long running disputes."
The Minister of State with responsibility for new market development, Martin Heydon TD also welcomed the positive news and said:
"Hopefully, today’s announcement is a signal of the renewal of this historic, positive and enduring transatlantic relationship between the EU and the US. This is a positive development for exports of Irish butter, cheese and Irish Cream to the US market."
Minister McConalogue concluded by acknowledging:
"the significant efforts by the Irish Embassy in Washington in seeking to resolve this dispute and highlighting, the importance of the US market for our effected industries, to USTR officials."
The value of Irish agri food exports impacted by US tariffs , in 2019 figures, is approximately €422 million attracting an additional €105 million tariffs in a full year. This 25% tariff was applied to Irish exports to the US on butter (€190.2m), cheese, (€43.7m) and Irish Cream (€184m).