Trump's retaliation warning as 30% EU tariffs sparks Irish economy & job loss fears & Martin calls for negotiation
Europe today warned that they will fire back at this tax attack with the
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US president Donald Trump is set to slap 30 per cent tariffs on all EU goods
Credit: AFP
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Taoiseach Micheal Martin is urging the EU and the States to negotiate a trade deal
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The dramatic worsening in trade relations has sparked fears for the Irish economy which is heavily reliant on trade with
European and American officials have been locked in trade negotiations for weeks after Donald Trump initially announced a 20 per cent tariff on
The American President then slashed this tariff tax to 10 per cent to facilitate negotiations.
During these talks, the President has made a series of threats that he would hike the tariff to a range of
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Reports from the EU side had claimed that good progress was being made in the talks but the US leader cut through this on Saturday by announcing a permanent 30 per cent tariff that would kick in from August 1st.
President Trump claims there is a major trade imbalance between the States and the EU and he wants more
In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Trump warned Europe not to respond with tariffs of their own or he would hit back once again by jacking up his taxes.
He said: 'The European Union will allow complete, open Market Access to the United States, with no Tariffs being charged to us, in an attempt to reduce the large Trade Deficit.
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'If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs and retaliate, then, whatever the number you chose to raise them by, will be added onto the 30 per cent that we charge.
Putin's biggest mouthpiece threatens US with 'radioactive TSUNAMI' using nuke torpedoes as Trump sends arms to Ukraine
A 30 per cent tariff on all goods travelling from Ireland to the US would be incredibly damaging for Irish
The tariff attack could also wipe billions off the Irish economy as a small number of American companies that sell products back to the US pay enormous amounts of corporation tax here.
The EU had previously drawn up a list of tariffs of their own that they would implement on the States if Trump pushed ahead with his measures.
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'EVERYONE WINS' HOPE
Taoiseach
He said: 'While it has been clear that all options remain on the table, the EU has also been clear that our preference is for a negotiated solution that avoids escalation. That remains the case.
'I hope that negotiations will continue in the weeks ahead and that they will be successful.
'The EU and the US should be partners, not rivals. In a true partnership, everyone wins.
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'The EU negotiators continue to have my full support in this important work."
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Tanaiste Simon Harris said the EU will remain at the negotiation table
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