Tánaiste meets senior representatives from the pharmaceutical sector

Tánaiste Simon Harris had a constructive engagement with senior representatives from the pharmaceutical sector based in the United States on Wednesday.

The online meeting was an opportunity for the Tánaiste to hear first-hand the views of the pharmaceutical sector at this critical juncture in EU-US trade talks and amid the ongoing US Section 232 investigation into the sector.

Speaking after the meeting, the Tánaiste said: “This afternoon’s meeting was a chance to gain key insights from the pharma industry as we enter a crucial phase of negotiations to reach a broad and mutually beneficial agreement between the EU and the US as possible.

“An important component of Ireland’s economic relationship with the United States includes significant, mutually beneficial trade and investment partnerships in the pharmaceutical sector.

“The current Section 232 investigations are focused on national security issues. Ireland is clear, however, that the integrated supply chain in pharma products between the EU, including Ireland, and the US, supports rather than threatens our collective transatlantic economic security.

“Ireland's position is also that the treatment of pharma should be within negotiations with the EU on an agreement in principle and we have made this point on both sides of the Atlantic over the recent weeks and months.

“There is no doubt this is a crucial sector for our economy and pharmaceutical companies are here for many reasons; they have access to a highly talented, skilled labour market, they have access too to an EU market of over 450 million people. The value that the industry places on this access and their bases in Ireland was clear to me from the call held earlier today.

“As for all industries, the need to deliver on competitiveness measures at an EU level is crucial and that is something Ireland has said repeatedly we are committed to working on. Ultimately when it comes to pharma, this is about achieving the best outcomes for patients and citizens on both sides of the Atlantic.

“It is because of that that the main focus at this stage must be on avoiding an escalatory higher tariff outcome that will be deeply detrimental to both the EU and the US.

“At this moment it is also fair to say that the EU has shown considerable constraint when it comes to counter tariffs, which underscores our desire to reach a negotiated settlement that results in mutually beneficial transatlantic trade and investment as soon as possible before August 1."

ENDS

Press Office

16 July 2025