Minister Darragh O'Brien hopeful Trump's 30pc tariff will not start trade war
Mr O'Brien said negotiations between the EU and the US have been positive so far. A trade deal is yet to be reached, and the EU had hoped to negotiate a deal including zero-for-zero tariffs on industrial goods.
Asked on RTÉ's This Week if Mr Trump's announcement would spark a trade war, Mr O'Brien said: 'We sincerely hope not.
'I think the Taoiseach has been very clear as well in really setting out that we want respectful dialogue to continue.
'There is still time in this space. The EU and the US enjoy the biggest economic relationship. It's good for both blocs. It's good for the EU, it's good for the US.'
Mr O'Brien said tariffs are 'good for no one', and the EU will now be focused on pressing ahead with negotiations with a view to wrapping up a deal ahead of the 30pc tariff coming into effect on August 1.
'Obviously the statement issued by the US administration and President Trump in particular, is one that leads us to be greatly concerned, no question,' he said.
'But I think my understanding, as the Taoiseach has outlined, is the negotiations heretofore have been carried out in a very respectful way, in a business-like way, and I still believe we need to use the time between now and the first of August to conclude a deal that is good for both the European Union and the United States.'
Uncertainty brought by the threat of US tariffs has not been good for the economy, Mr O'Brien said, particularly relating to new investment in the private sector.
'We don't want to catastrophise the situation either, and this may be a negotiation… We've outlined from the very start, actually during the general election campaign, my party leader and the Taoiseach was very clear to say that obviously any budgets we bring forward are fully mindful of the economic situation at the time,' he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
'But really our focus as a government, between the Taoiseach and Tánaiste and all of my colleagues, is working with our European Union partners to conclude an arrangement that can allow us to continue to trade.
'Look, tariffs are good for no one, and obviously the trading situation that we have right now, prior to the new administration has been advantageous for both.
'It allows US companies access to their biggest market in the European Union, FDI from the United States is very important for us.'
Mr O'Brien added that the Irish people and economy 'were very resilient post-Brexit' despite concerns over the impact of the UK leaving the EU at the time.
'There were many concerns, and rightly outlined at the time, about the impact that would have on businesses, and we managed our way through it, and working together I believe we will manage our way through this also,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
28 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Visa appeal timeframe 'prevents' trip, says GAA Palestine
GAA Palestine has said it has been told by the Department of Justice that a process to appeal the denial of visas for their trip this month would take an "indefinite amount of time" and so "effectively prevents" the team's scheduled trip to Ireland from going ahead. A team of 33 children and 14 mentors were due to travel to Ireland for a summer tour this Friday 18 July, but were denied entry. Last week, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration cited a lack of compliance to visa application criteria as reasons for denying the visas. The GAA Palestine organisation said it would be appealing the decision. However in a statement last night, it expressed "outrage" over the Department of Justice's handling of the issue, saying it was "profoundly disappointed" over its "refusal to facilitate" the trip. It said that despite numerous attempts to engage, the department provided an appeals process that "guarantees the trip cannot proceed within the timeframe required". "We requested the Department of Justice to engage directly with us to verify and provide assurance that all documentation was in order, but our efforts were met with silence," it said. The organisation's executive travelled to Dublin to seek clarity and a resolution to the case, but said despite assurances from a secretary within the department that they would meet a senior officer, they instead received an email directing them to an appeals process. "This process, we are told, will take an indefinite amount of time and effectively prevents the team from travelling on 18th July." The organisation also said that it stands to lose €38,000 which was spent on tickets for flights to Ireland, while it considers alternative locations for a summer camp. It has called on Irish authorities to reconsider their visa application and facilitate the team's trip. The organisation's founder Stephen Redmond said they were "deeply disheartened and outraged". "Despite providing all necessary documentation and engaging in good faith, we have been met with dismissiveness and an appeals process that, in reality, guarantees our trip will not happen. This is not just a logistical setback; it's a blatant disregard for fairness, transparency, and the spirit of sport that unites us all." Mr Redmond said the organisation's executive will remain in Dublin and are hopeful that a resolution can be found. "We genuinely want to come together and work constructively to remedy this situation. We are ready and available to engage in meaningful dialogue and to explore any options that might allow our players to participate," he said. "Our players deserve better, and we will continue to fight for their right to participate and showcase their talent." In a statement, the department said it appreciated the decision to refuse the applications had caused disappointment, and added: "These applications were given very careful consideration and the reasons for their refusal have been communicated in the decision letter. "Each visa application is decided on its own merits. However, it is the case that the organisation of an event, no matter how good the intention, does not guarantee that a visa will be subsequently granted. "Applications made on behalf of minors who are not travelling in the company of their parents must be supported with evidence that appropriate child protection measures are in place during the visit. In all cases, evidence of financial means, employment or other ties that indicate a person intends to return home are important criteria." The department said the visa appeals process allows applicants to address any factors of the original refusal decision and have that application considered again. The statement added: "No appeal has been received in this case and no new material has been submitted – any appeal received will be looked at immediately."
Irish Examiner
30 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Thousands of vehicles sit idle at EU port as Trump's tariffs leave their mark
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has been turned into a giant car park with thousands of cars, vans, trucks and tractors bound for the US sitting idle as manufacturers try to avert the worst of Donald Trump's tariffs. Figures released by the port show a 15.9% drop in the transport of new passenger cars and vans to the US in the first six months of 2025 compared with the same period last year, with a sharp decline emerging in May – one month after the US president announced his 'liberation day' tariffs. Exports of trucks and what they call 'high and heavy equipment' is down by almost a third at 31.5%. This category includes tractors and construction vehicles, with the fall off in transatlantic movements perhaps reflecting the impact a 25% tariff would have on vehicles that can cost more than $100,000 (€85,540). The port is one of the world's largest car transport hubs, shipping more than 3m vehicles around the world in 2024. 'The outlook for the second half of the year remains uncertain. Much will depend on whether a trade agreement between the EU and the US can be reached by 1 August,' the port said in a statement. European carmakers from Volkswagen to Volvo had been hoping that a deal would have been sealed last week after Donald Trump's original deadline for a tariff deal with the EU was due to expire. Before Trump arrived in the White House they paid a 2.5% tariff on exports but since April they are being charged an extra 25%, adding tens of thousands of dollars to the price of a family-sized car in the US. Ports across Europe have been tested by Brexit, the coronavirus pandemic, the port congestion caused by container shortages in 2024, with congestion a widespread issue across all northern ports, said Justin Atkin, the UK and Ireland port representative of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. Compared with Brexit, the tariff impact has been 'more of an instant shock' he said. 'With the pandemic, we had lockdown, then we were out of lockdown, then back into lockdown, and people got used to managing it after being unprepared. Whereas here … people have talked about tariffs in the build up [to Trump] but I don't think anyone expected the level and the severity of the instantaneous action.' The port couldn't put a figure on the number of cars waiting to be transported but said it was in the thousands. Atkin said there was also evidence of Chinese cars being stockpiled at the port, which may reflect a diversion of trade from the US with Beijing grappling with tariff barriers. The tariff crisis combined with the conflict in the Red Sea and the increased size of ships in global fleets extending the docking time at the port to up to eight days instead of the usual five, has meant parking space for cars and containers is under pressure. The US is the Port of Antwerp-Bruges's second biggest trading partner after Britain and there is evidence that US exporters are also front-loading cargo to try to avoid any retaliatory tariffs the EU may impose in the event of a trade war. In the first half of the year, inbound cargo from the US increased by 17% with higher volumes of liquefied natural gas. Read More Trump announces 30% tariffs on EU as trade war intensifies
The Journal
32 minutes ago
- The Journal
Thousands in Irish public money spent on pushing cheap substitute 'milk' in West Africa
OVER €250,000 IN public funds have been used to help Irish dairy giants push products in West Africa that are 'putting its small scale farmers out of business'. That is according to a new investigation with DeSmog and Nigerian news outlet Premium Times on the impact of Ireland's booming fat-filled milk powder (FFMP) industry. The team can also reveal that certain brands are targeting advertising at Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal's parents, claiming the product is good for their children. It follows an investigation last year by The Journal Investigates and Premium Times exposing how large volumes of the cheap substitute 'milk' was being exported to West Africa, outcompeting local milk on price. Fat-filled milk powder is made by spray-drying skimmed milk combined with vegetable fats like palm or coconut oil because its dairy fats were removed to make more profitable products like butter. It cannot be sold in the EU as 'milk' because of the addition of palm or vegetable oil – with the vast majority shipped outside of Europe. While countries like the Netherlands, Germany, France and Poland also export FFMP, Ireland is by far the biggest player, exporting 30% of the EU's FFMP. Lakeland Dairies, Tirlán and Ornua, which had a combined turnover of €7.8bn in 2024, were the top exporters of FFMP to Nigeria and Ghana from 2021 to 2024 according to Volza export-import trade data. None of three companies responded to the team's requests for comment. Little known in Ireland, fat-filled milk powder is the State's largest (by volume) dairy export, and its fourth most valuable – worth €813 million last year. But its success continues to come at a cost for farmers in countries in West Africa, including Nigeria. Ireland's food and drink authority Bord Bia helped promote the product in these countries with a €170,745 taxpayer-funded 2023 trade mission and €82,500 on joint campaigns with Ornua for World Milk Day from 2021 to 2024. A number of other Irish products, including full-fat milk powder, were also promoted at these events. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) said that this 'was the first agri-food Ministerial Trade Mission to the West Africa region since 2015″. It included 'government-to-government meetings and Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland engagements with leading customers for Irish agri-food and agri-tech'. 'Meetings also took place with UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and UN World Food Programme in relation to food security and humanitarian needs in the region.' Miksi, which is partly supplied by Lakeland Dairies, advertised in a shop in Nigeria. Beloved John / Premium Times Beloved John / Premium Times / Premium Times Investigations like this don't happen without your support… Impactful investigative reporting is powered by people like you. Advertisement Support The Journal Investigates Selling dairy to 'lactose intolerant' people The World Milk Day campaign promoted Ornua's FFMP product Kerrygold Avantage, alongside its full-cream milk powder which is made of full-fat milk. Details of this campaign, released following an Oireachtas question, included partnerships with social media influencers as well as making food and drinks with Kerrygold Avantage FFMP. A Bord Bia spokesperson told the investigative team that 'the campaigns were implemented across digital media channels (X and Instagram) incorporating promotion partnership with people or groups who have a significant following on social media'. Documents obtained from Bord Bia through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests highlight how market research demonstrated that the dairy industry could be selling lactose-high products to 'lactose intolerant' young people in Nigeria. The FOI documents also show how executives from Ireland's Lakeland Dairies, Tirlán and Ornua attended a slideshow presentation as part of the mission to 'increase knowledge of Irish dairy' in Nigeria and Senegal. While parts of the slideshow have been redacted, it reads 'the consumption of milk among young adults is low' adding 'many of them are lactose intolerant' in Nigeria. Fat-filled milk powder contains up to 37% lactose and intolerance to it can cause bloating, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. 'It's a common health issue in the country,' said Nigerian nutrition specialist Auwalu Aliyu. Market research commissioned by Bord Bia also showed that most consumers are unaware of the differences between whole milk powder and FFMP – an issue previously reported by The Journal Investigates . In relation to the promotion of FFMP, a DAFM spokesperson said that 'the placement of product on the market is a commercial decision for companies to make in accordance with the applicable legislation and market demand'. 'While promotional campaigns are an operational matter for Bord Bia, they have advised that their activities promoting Irish dairy to international customers are not typically product specific.' Redacted trade mission presentation, obtained from Bord Bia, which mentions lactose intolerance. Bord Bia (via FOI) Bord Bia (via FOI) 'Importance of brand building' Companies involved in the trade mission also enjoyed privileged access to key market players in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria and Dakar in Senegal with attendees asked if they 'would be interested in a ministerial Top to Top meeting with [their] customer'. Bord Bia said it held a number of government-to-government meetings during the visit, while Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland held engagements with 'leading customers for Irish agri-food and agri-tech'. 'Branded milk powder is clearly the consumers' choice,' notes one slide. Another reveals nearly all Nigerian shoppers buy branded milk powder – up from 84% in 2017 to 99% in 2023. A further line crossed out in the document noted 'the importance of brands and brand-building in Nigeria, even among lower social classes'. Separately, Bord Bia has said that there is 'difficulty in differentiating high and low quality FFMP' and that 'having more branded products with information on provenance and specifications can support the differentiation of our quality product'. The same presentation notes that West Africa's increasing population is a driving factor for growth in FFMP imports – summarised in the slideshow as 'more mouths to feed'. Urbanisation was equated to 'easier to access mouths'. Related Reads Irish products among cheap EU dairy forcing some West African farmers out of business Health and environmental claims Cheaper than fresh milk, FFMP has a longer shelf life and is marketed as a 'good' source of protein. It is used as a milk substitute, tea and coffee 'creamer' and a base for yoghurts, drinks and desserts. Perceptions of the product as healthy and sustainable are carefully crafted in West Africa, where consumers are targeted through social media, billboards, TV and in-person campaigns. Analysis of hundreds of Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok posts from 2022 to 2024, found brands frequently make claims about the health benefits and environmental impacts of their products. Kerrygold Nigeria promotes its products as sustainable, claiming on X that its dairy 'reduces its environmental footprint, while also providing nutritious foods and livelihoods around the world'. It also claimed that Kerrygold Avantage Milk guarantees 'rich creamy goodness'. Ornua, who makes this, did not respond to the investigative team's queries. However, Barry Newman, the then regional head for Ornua North & Central Africa, addressed sustainability at the launch of Kerrygold Avantage FFMP in Nigeria in 2019. He said that Kerrygold Avantage was 'always going to be sourced on the island of Ireland which has a long long history of milk production'. He also said that the company was proud that 'the palm oil that is used in Kerrygold will be from responsibly sourced palm oil producers which constitutes 20% of the world's palm oil production'. A post on Instagram by Kerrygold Nigeria promoting the Avantage FFMP product. @kerrygoldnigeria on Instagram @kerrygoldnigeria on Instagram A DAFM spokesperson did say that 'Ireland's carbon footprint per unit of milk produced is one of the lowest amongst milk-producing countries due to our grass-based production system' but did not provide any links to research which supports that statement. Miksi, a major fat-filled milk powder brand partly supplied by Ireland's Lakeland Dairies, said on Facebook it 'contains all the calcium, proteins and vitamins essential for the proper development of growing children'. Though Lakeland Dairies is not the ultimate seller of Miksi in Nigeria, it is listed on Volza export data as shipping milk powder containing vegetable fats and oils under the Miksi brand name. On it's website, Lakeland Dairies states that its fat-filled milk powder is 'a staple in global markets due to its quality, consistency, flavour and functionality'. Tirlán, who claims to be the largest producer of FFMP in Europe, states online that its product 'is designed to offer an affordable alternative source of dairy nutrition without compromising on taste and texture'. 'Zero health outcome data for this product' While some experts told the investigative team there has been little research on the nutritional qualities of FFMP and 'zero health outcome data', the product was celebrated as 'a fabulous success story for Irish farmers' at a May symposium on milk drying technology in Cork. 'A lot of the public just see butter and cheese and think, that's the dairy industry,' director of Dairy Industry Ireland, Conor Mulvihill, said at the conference. He added: We are no longer a dairy industry, we're a nutrition industry. 'There's a huge demand for Irish butter… which means we have a lot of grass based protein powders that then can be shipped at ambient temperatures around the world.' We asked dairy experts at the event about the nutritional impact of replacing milk fat with vegetable oils to make FFMP. The Irish and US panellists stayed silent while Gert Hols from Danone in the Netherlands said: 'There is research happening.' Dr Emma Feeney, an assistant professor at University College Dublin's School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, said it's 'almost a bit of a black box – there isn't a huge pile of work on the nutritional side of it'. Dr Shireen Kassam, a haematologist and honorary senior lecturer at King's College Hospital, said: 'We have absolutely zero health outcome data for this product.' Sign up The Journal Investigates is dedicated to lifting the lid on how Ireland works. Our newsletter gives you an inside look at how we do this. Sign up here... Sign up .spinner{transform-origin:center;animation:spinner .75s infinite linear}@keyframes spinner{100%{transform:rotate(360deg)}} You are now signed up EU regulations state that fat-filled milk powder should contain at least 23% protein and a maximum of 30% fat. Packaging analysed by this investigation showed Miksi FFMP sold in Nigeria contains only 10% protein and 35% fat, while Kerrygold Avantage met the requirements. Tom Lynton Tom Lynton Nigerian farmers are struggling Farmers in the region told The Journal Investigates last year that it was cheaper to import milk than buy it locally. That continues to be a problem. 'The FFMP exported to West Africa is putting African farmers out of business, while simultaneously driving up Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions,' Paul Murphy TD told the investigative team. Aliyu Ilu, chief executive of five-acre Little Acres dairy farm in Abuja, Nigeria said they 'struggle with several things'. 'These range from electricity to transportation to the high cost of feed for the cattle' as well as the lack of security, climate complications, infrastructure issues and little government funding. Meanwhile in Ireland, where the Environmental Protection Agency continuously highlights how agricultural intensification is impacting waterways and risking government climate targets, dairy is heavily subsidised through Common Agricultural Policy. Bord Bia – and Ireland's dairy industry – routinely claim Irish dairy production is sustainable and has one of the lowest carbon footprints in Europe due to 'grass-based production'. Dr Elaine McGoff, head of advocacy for Ireland's National Trust An Taisce said this oft cited claim is 'based largely on old, outdated data' with a study claiming that, later debunked. Researchers instead found 'Ireland had the fourth highest emissions in Europe for dairy production'. She added: 'The intensification of agriculture, particularly dairy expansion, over the last decade is driving all of our environmental indicators off a cliff.' But not all Irish farmers consider intensive farming a 'success story'. 'The problem is that the dairy production that we have a lot of, is far beyond what the capacity of the ecosystems can carry in terms of water, in terms of energy,' said Fergal Anderson, vegetable farmer and member of Ireland's grassroots farmers group Talamh Beo. He added: 'I think most farmers wouldn't be happy to think that FFMP is where their milk ends up… that it's actually undermining a farm family somewhere else.' The Journal Investigates Reporters: Shauna Corr , Brigitte Wear , Phoebe Cooke and Beloved John • Investigation Partners: DeSmog and Premium Times • Social Media: Cliodhna Travers • Main Image Design: Lorcan O'Reilly Investigations like this don't happen without your support... Impactful investigative reporting is powered by people like you. Over 5,000 readers have already supported our mission with a monthly or one-off payment. Join them here: Support The Journal
