Suspension of tariffs a relief to many businesses in Ireland – Harris

By Jonathan McCambridge and Cillian Sherlock, PA

Tánaiste Simon Harris said US president Donald Trump’s suspension of higher tariffs “will come as a relief to many businesses in Ireland”.

The Tánaiste was speaking following a meeting with US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington DC.

The US president announced on Wednesday he would be delaying tariffs on most nations for 90 days while raising his tax rate on Chinese imports to 125 per cent.

He posted the announcement on his Truth Social platform, but the precise details were not immediately clear.

Mr Harris said his meeting with Mr Lutnick, a key critic of the Irish Government’s fiscal policies, which occurred shortly after Mr Trump’s announcement, was “timely, valuable and substantive”.

He said “We discussed that announcement and the likely next steps.

“I welcomed the fact that the President has announced the suspension of the higher tariffs announced on April 2 for a period of 90 days.

“This, I know, will come as a relief to many businesses in Ireland.”

The Tánaiste said further engagement and clarification is required on the details of the US announcement.

He added: “We also had an opportunity for a substantive engagement on pharma and I outlined the mutually beneficial role that the sector plays for Ireland and the United States.

“During the meeting, I also outlined the dynamic interconnected economic relationship between Ireland, Europe and the United States.

“I conveyed our commitment through the EU to comprehensive negotiations that would address a broad range of issues.”

Mr Harris said the meeting confirmed his view that there is “an openness on the part of the US to engage” in a process of negotiations.

He added: “I outlined my view that Ireland, as part of the EU, wants to play a constructive role and will continue to be a voice for calm and measured engagement in the time ahead.”

During an appearance on RTÉ, Mr Harris was asked if 90 days is enough for the EU to negotiate a deal with the US.

He said: “I spoke to (EU Trade Commissioner) Maros Sefcovic straight after the meeting to update him on the details from our discussion with Secretary Lutnick.

“I think 90 days is a significant period of time.

“Whether it’s enough remains to be seen, and it is important that there’s still clarifications needed.

“It looks like, for example, the higher rate on cars and steel and aluminium is likely to remain.”

He added: “10 per cent tariffs still aren’t good. Tariffs are bad, so we need to be cautious in relation to this.

“But crucially, what this has done is provide the space that the European Commission, European member states and Ireland has been calling for.

“It’s been a big part of our diplomatic and political effort over the last while to try and create space for real and meaningful engagement.

“And I did also take the chance to talk to the secretary about the two-way relationship between Ireland and the United States.

“And I must say, he spoke favourably in relation to the Irish economic model and our economic success to date.”