Ireland's Taoiseach and Tánaiste have both responded after US President Donald Trump 'recommended' a 50% tariff on the European Union, which includes Ireland, beginning June 1.
"The European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE, has been very difficult to deal with," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Friday morning, May 23.
"Their powerful Trade Barriers, Vat Taxes, ridiculous Corporate Penalties, Non-Monetary Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against Americans Companies, and more, have led to a Trade Deficit with the U.S. of more than $250,000,000 a year, a number which is totally unacceptable.
"Our discussions with them are going nowhere!
"Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025. There is no Tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
On April 2, Trump announced that 20% tariffs on the EU would come into effect on April 9. However, on the day they were due to come into effect, Trump announced that he was pausing the sweeping tariffs for 90 days.
On Friday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin responded to Trump's new 50% tariff threat, calling it "enormously disappointing."
"I welcomed the pause in tariffs until early July to allow for continued negotiations between the EU and the US, and ideally an agreed outcome," the Taoiseach said in a statement on Friday.
"I have always been clear in my view that tariffs are damaging to all sides – those imposing them, those on the receiving end and, most importantly, to businesses and consumers.
"A negotiated outcome is the best possible result for both sides, as well as for global trade.
"The EU has been engaging in good faith in that process and I understand Commissioner Šefčovič was due to talk to his US counterpart again this afternoon.
"Tariffs at the level suggested would not only push prices up, they would grievously damage one of the world’s most dynamic and significant trading relationships, as well as disrupting wider global trade.
"We do not need to go down this road.
"Negotiations are the best and only sustainable way forward."
US President Trump’s suggestion today that he is recommending a 50% tariff on EU imports from 1 June is enormously disappointing.
I have always been clear in my view that tariffs are damaging to all sides. pic.twitter.com/BkJoDXJv92
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 23, 2025
Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris also responded on Friday.
"Ireland’s consistent position and that of the EU is that we need a substantive, calm, measured and comprehensive dialogue with the United States," the Tánaiste said.
"Tariffs are a bad idea. They’re bad for Ireland, the EU, and the US. They push up prices for consumers and businesses. We have built a relationship of prosperity, jobs and investment based on working together and trading together.
"Negotiations remain the main focus for both the EU and Ireland and our deep and enduring relationship with the United States merits a more sustained and substantive engagement in the period ahead in a bid to bring about a negotiated settlement.
"I continue to keep in close contact with the European Commission, with colleagues across the EU and with industry as we continue to seek to navigate the current challenges. A negotiated solution remains very clearly the goal and the preferred outcome."
Tariffs are bad for Ireland, the EU & the US.
They hurt consumers, businesses & jobs.
We need calm and measured dialogue with the US.
Negotiation is the only path forward.My full statement: https://t.co/yCE9F3H4gD pic.twitter.com/dHXtOTC3DO
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) May 23, 2025
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