‘They'll suffer, we'll suffer' – Irish MEPs on tariff threat

As a July deadline for Trump's threatened 50% tariff on EU goods looms, intense talks continue to take place between the US and the bloc.
Tariffs pose a 'big threat', and if they were to apply to agricultural products, the effect could be 'detrimental' for Ireland, MEP Sean Kelly said.
'If Donald Trump goes ahead with them and then we [EU] reciprocate, they'll suffer, we'll suffer – and it's not in anybody's interest to go down that line.'
Tariff talks
Kelly's comments to Agriland come as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris confirmed he took part in discussions this week with US trade representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer.
This follows on from the Tánaiste's meetings in Washington in April, when he met with the US Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick.
The Tánaiste and Ambassador Greer discussed recent trade developments, including an exchange of views on the ongoing negotiations between the US and EU.
Speaking after the virtual meeting, the Tánaiste said he outlined the 'hugely successful two-way economic relationship between the US and Ireland', and that tariffs 'threaten this relationship and are bad for business, bad for consumers and bad for workers on both sides of the Atlantic'.
During the meeting the Tánaiste reiterated that negotiations remain the main focus for both the EU and Ireland and welcomed the 'recent positive momentum', including Ambassador Greer's recent meeting with EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic.
The Tánaiste added: 'I assured Ambassador Greer of Ireland's commitment to supporting a mutually beneficial agreement that works for the US and the EU and noted his recent positive meeting with Commissioner Šefčovič in Paris.
'The ambassador and I agreed to remain in contact as we seek to bring this trade dispute to an end.'
Uncertainty
According to Sean Kelly, the EU has to 'box clever' when dealing with the US, acknowledging the strong relationship Ireland has had with the US.
'I'm pleased that the EU are taking their time because the worst thing you could do at this stage is to rush into retaliatory measures that might be as harmful to us, and maybe with time, Donald Trump might back down and change his mind,' as negotiations continue, according to Kelly.
MEP Billy Kelleher told Agriland that there is 'grave uncertainty' at the moment around international trade, with the impact of Trump's proposed tariffs coupled with the EU-Mercosur trade agreement.
He said Ireland must 'hold firm in terms of addressing some of the issues' of Mercosur, Kelleher said, including the need for 'mirror imaging of regulations and farming practices to ensure that any products that come in comply with the standards we expect our farmers to produce food by'.
The MEP warned: 'The other area I have concern about in Mercosur is deforestation.
'I am still convinced if we don't put measures in place to ensure there isn't further destruction of the Amazon rainforest, that could incentivise further destruction, and importation of cheap food, and that in itself doesn't serve the conditions of climate change and the impact that would have on global warning.'

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