Tánaiste briefs EU Trade Commissioner Šefčovič after US visit

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, has had further engagement with the EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič after the Tánaiste’s detailed and substantive discussion with the US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik in D.C.

The Tánaiste took the opportunity to debrief the Trade Commissioner on the content of the discussions.

The two also discussed the ongoing preparations at European level to have meaningful engagement with the United States.

Speaking this morning, the Tánaiste said: “It has been my consistent position and the consistent position of the Irish Government and the European Union that we need to get into substantive, calm, measured dialogue with the United States.

“It has always been our preference dialogue would have happened before tariff announcements. Clearly that was not the position of the United States.

“However, after my discussions yesterday, it is now clear to me that such engagement and negotiation are likely.

“I believe it needs to happen in a timely fashion. All sides need to engage in good faith because uncertainty and turmoil is not the way forward.

“The trading relationship between the EU and the US is worth €1.6 trillion per year. It is massively important in terms of jobs, growth and investment in Ireland, across the European Union and in America.

“Yesterday’s discussions with Secretary Lutnik were an opportunity to be updated directly and to gain an insight into the US position on a range of these matters.

“I look forward to further engagement with my European counterparts in the hours and days ahead.”