EU-US deal will stabilise transatlantic trade, says Gill

RTÉ News​

29-07-2025

The tariff deal between the EU and the US will secure, stabilise and grow transatlantic trade and investment relations, the European Commission's Spokesperson on Trade has said.
Olof Gill said both sides are "working very hard" to get the details of the agreement signed.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said the 15% tariffs was not the outcome either the EU or the US wanted, but said "what we have now is something that gives us stability. It gives us clarity. It gives us predictability, which is what businesses want above all".
Mr Gill said tariff "should kick in fairly soon," but could not give a precise date.
"That is the intention of the US, the 15%. So that does provide a degree of stability immediately and predictability for businesses."
Mr Gill said that in relation to agriculture and that Northern Ireland and the Republic have two different tariffs applied to their goods, details "can be worked out.
"We're at the we're not at the end of the process here at the start of the process", he said.
Meanwhile, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke is to update the Cabinet on details of the EU-US trade deal.
Mr Burke will outline some of the carve-outs or exclusions Ireland had campaigned for as part of the negotiations, including a zero-for zero-arrangement on aviation.
He will also set out the supports that are available from Enterprise Ireland for businesses impacted by the 15% tariff on most goods exported to the US.
The supports include a new market research grant of up to €35,000 available from next month.
It will be available to companies to assess the impact of tariffs and other trade measures and to develop measures which will address pricing, supply chain and cost challenges.
The minister is also set to update his colleagues on the views and concerns of the IDA and key business voices as a result of the trade deal, as the work continues on working out the finer details of the framework deal.
Tánaiste to convene Trade Forum meeting on EU-US deal
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris is to convene a meeting of the Government Trade Forum on Friday to provide an update on the trade deal between the EU and US.
The group is comprised of State agencies, business groups, unions and senior ministers.
Mr Harris will use the forum to give an update on the latest analysis of the agreement and its implications.
The meeting will also provide an opportunity for the Tánaiste to hear from stakeholders.
Mr Harris said: "As we continue to analyse the full implications of the deal over the coming days, the Trade Forum meeting on Friday will be a timely opportunity to share and gain insights on what this deal will mean for the future of Irish businesses, jobs, and the economy."
"Whilst the agreement between the EU and the US is welcome, we know that the imposition of any tariffs will have implications and that now is the time to intensify efforts to find and secure more markets for Irish businesses and Irish jobs," he added.
The Tánaiste is also set to update the forum on other issues including plans to accelerate the passage of the Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2025, which will allow for the ratification of the EU-Canada trade deal, known as CETA.
It follows the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade's decision to waive pre-legislative scrutiny of the bill following a request from Mr Harris.
An update will also be provided on the decision to defer the implementation of alcohol labelling following concerns raised at the trade forum around the potential of the labelling to impact competitiveness.