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Irish Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
The Irish Independent's View: Donald Trump's tariff threats serve no one, but they come with a cost
It resulted in Mr Trump putting the 50pc tariffs, which he had planned to slap on EU imports from June 1, on hold for a month. The extension of the deadline has given fresh momentum to negotiations. It's beginning to feel as if the pace of our evolutionary psychology has been picked up dramatically in the few months Mr Trump has been in office. World markets are learning to absorb what in other times might have been potentially mortal blows to the nervous system of global finance. Mr Trump makes a move which, theoretically at least, could shake the pillars of the world economy; for a time there is turmoil, but within 48 hours Mr Trump changes his mind. All those people running around with their hair on fire are left feeling a little foolish. Mr Trump seems to enjoy the rush of hearing the sirens and witnessing the consternation he can unleash. But there are consequences to crying wolf. Businesses need stability and security in managing production. The US was the EU trading bloc's biggest export partner last year, accounting for some 20.6pc of exports. Nowhere is more vulnerable to the vagaries of Mr Trump's prognostications than Ireland. We don't need to react or indeed overreact to every iteration Medicinal and pharmaceutical products were the EU's most exported sector to the US, and this country was the bloc's second biggest exporter, with goods worth €72bn. A 50pc tariff threat would hit €281bn worth of US-EU trade. Not surprisingly, the pause was welcomed by relieved EU leaders, but toying with consumer confidence and investment sentiment generally comes at a cost. Speaking in Brussels, junior minister Neale Richmond said negotiations were about 'damage limitation'. 'The decisions of the US administration [are] beyond our control, certainly the rhetoric has been very worrying and will continue to be,' he said. 'We don't need to react or indeed overreact to every iteration, or indeed social media post, from the US administration,' the Fine Gael TD added. Clearly it is in everyone's interest to get a deal done as rapidly as possible and restore some stability to trade relationships. Mr Trump is evidently intent on bouncing the bloc into making concessions. But leaders are in the dark as to what exactly he wants. He seems fixated on tariffs, yet when told by the EU they could be set at zero, they were told 'non-tariff trade barriers' were the issue. He said he doesn't want 'to make sneakers and T-shirts', but rather to make 'big things', like 'chips'. But chips are famously small – unless, as cynics may doubtlessly suggest, he is talking about the one he is carrying on his own shoulder, the weight of which has left him at such odds with former allies.
Channel 4
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Channel 4
EU leaders need to ‘exert pressure' on Israel, says Irish minister
Last year, Ireland led the way in recognising a Palestinian state, along with Spain and Norway. Now it's pushing the EU to reconsider its trade agreement with Israel. The EU Foreign Affairs Council has been meeting today to discuss the possibility, and one of the participants there was the Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Neale Richmond. We spoke to him and began by asking him what was decided.
The Journal
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Growing call from European nations for review into EU-Israel trade agreement
THE EU FOREIGN Affairs Council is meeting today to discuss the possibility of suspending a major trade agreement with Israel. Speaking to reporters this morning, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ministers would discuss a Dutch-led initiative to review the EU-Israel Association Agreement, a trade accord signed in 2000. The proposal, spearheaded by Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, is based on Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which allows for suspension if the EU determines that Israel is committing grave violations of human rights. 'It's going to be a very, very hard discussion on Gaza,' Kallas said, noting that member states took different views in their approach to Israel's government. The calls for review from the Netherlands have received support from France, Spain, Slovenia, Ireland, Sweden and at least four other EU nations. In a letter to Kallas, Veldkamp said Israel's aid blockade was a violation of its obligations under international humanitarian law and therefore the EU-Israel agreement, which includes provisions to respect human rights. He also expressed concern about Israel's plans to entrust the delivery of aid to Palestinians to private companies, rather than the UN and humanitarian organisations. The UN has warned that up to 14,000 babies in Gaza could die within the next 48 hours if aid doesn't reach them in time, as Israeli forces maintain their blockade on the territory. Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen in Jabalia, northern Gaza. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Humanitarian organisations have warned that the two million people living in Gaza are facing a food crisis, as some have even resorted to boiling grass and eating animal feed . There is now a 'critical risk of famine', according to the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification. Trade suspension implications A suspension of trade would have major impications for Israel Israel, as the EU is Israel's biggest trading partner. Advertisement The bloc accounted for 32% of Israel's total trade in 2024 – 34.2% of Israel's imports came from the EU, and 28.8% of the country's exports went to the EU. The legal basis for the EU's trade relations with Israel is the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Total trade volume between the EU and Israel last year amounted to €46.8 billion. The governments of Ireland and Spain first called for a review of the EU's trade agreement with Israel in February last year, but gained little traction. Neale Richmond, minister of state for international development, told reporters in Brussels this morning that the EU does not require a unanimous decision to suspend the asociation agreement with Israel. Commenting on the growing momentum to review the agreement, he said: 'I can only imagine it's because other member states have eyes and ears and they can see the absolute horrors that are unfolding on a daily basis live on our television screens in Gaza.' Neale Richmond speaking to reporters this morning. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo 'Children are dying, children are starving, families are being murdered every day,' Richmond said. 'This is not acceptable and it's clearly now time for the EU to look at that EU-Israel trade association and the very clear breaches of the human rights under article 2 [of the agreement].' He underlined that they will make it clear to the bloc's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, that a majority or a unanimous decision is not needed to suspend the association agreement with Israel. 'It is now the time to make sure that not only can we hold Israel to account, but actually that we show that the EU believes in the rule of law and it believes in the protection of our values,' Richmond said. 'It's really important from the Irish government to absolutely underline the obligations to EU member states to the people of Gaza.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Aid allowed in Gaza a ‘drop in the ocean', EU foreign chief says
The small amount of humanitarian aid Israel has allowed into Gaza is a 'drop in the ocean', the European Union 's foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas has said, as the union renews debate about reviewing its relationship with Israel. At least 10 national capitals now support a review being carried out into the EU's trade agreement with Israel, to determine if its actions during the war in Gaza breached commitments to respect human rights. Foreign ministers from the 27 EU states are set to debate reviewing the agreement during a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday afternoon. Israel's near-three month blockade stopping food and aid getting into the Palestinian enclave has seen a number of EU states switch positions and back calls for a review. READ MORE Aid agencies have been repeatedly warning that blocking the flow of aid into Gaza has put the two million Palestinians in the territory at risk of famine, as food, fuel and other supplies begin to run out. In response to growing international pressure, Israel allowed five United Nations aid trucks into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Ms Kallas said this only represented a 'drop in the ocean' and more needed to be done. 'There are thousands of [aid] trucks behind the borders waiting ... It has to reach the people because the situation is extremely grave,' she said. Minister of State for International Development Neale Richmond, representing the Irish Government, said the EU needed to step up and hold Israel to account. He said Ms Kallas did not need the support of a majority of EU states to ask for a review of the EU-Israel agreement. 'Children are dying, children are starving, families are being murdered every day,' he said. 'Over 60 days the people of Gaza haven't been able to access basic medicines, shelter and food, it's absolutely horrendous,' the Fine Gael TD said. There had been 'very clear breaches' by Israel of the human rights clauses in its agreement with the EU, he said. Ireland and Spain first proposed the EU's 'association' agreement with Israel be reviewed in February 2024, in response to Israel's actions during the war in Gaza. The Dutch government has been behind the renewed push to pressure the European Commission, the EU's executive arm responsible for trade policy, to examine the deal. The proposal to review the agreement is also supported by the governments of France, Finland, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden and others. Speaking before the meeting, Ms Kallas said she wanted to hear all the views around the table. The EU foreign affairs chief said her 'priority' was to first make sure enough humanitarian aid got into Gaza. More than 53,000 Palestinians have been killed during the bombardment and invasion of Gaza by Israel's military. The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7th, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Irish Independent
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Africa Day to be celebrated with events across Louth
Africa Day is the annual worldwide celebration of the people, cultures, and potential of the African continent. This year, Louth will join all 31 local authorities in Ireland in hosting inclusive, vibrant events that highlight African heritage, identity, and creativity. Ardee is the venue for One Africa, Many Voices: Inspiring Change, which takes place on Saturday, May 24 This event will feature dance performances, a fashion show, poetry, music, and cuisine representing each African country. Threads of Africa: Fashion, Style, Story and Sustainability, a day-long programme including a panel discussion on fashion, identity and sustainability, an interactive audience Q&A, an upcycling and textile workshop, a clothes swapping corner, and a live African fashion show. also takes place on Saturday, from 2pm-5pm at St Fechin's GAA Club, Termonfeckin. Africa Day Celebration and African Cultural Arts Exhibition takes place at Geraldines GAA Club, Haggardstown on Sunday May 25 from 4pm-7pm. This family-friendly event will include a Congolese cultural show, guest speakers on African history and literature, a special African poem presented by three children, South African dance performances, a fashion parade, and an exhibition of African visual art. 'Africa Day is an opportunity to promote those links and learn more about African cultures,' Minister Neale Richmond said at the launch in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. 'I am delighted that local authorities across Ireland, including Louth, will be taking part in Africa Day 2025, and I look forward to vibrant celebrations nationwide.'
