Tánaiste Simon Harris will travel to Brussels for meetings with European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and EU trade ministers to discuss trade and tariffs.

Mr Harris will hold a bilateral meeting with Commissioner Šefčovič on the margins of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Trade.

There will be a detailed discussion on the European Union’s list of possible countermeasures, in case negotiations with the United States fail.

The Tánaiste will set out Ireland’s position as it seeks to avoid any unintended consequences for the economy.

Mr Harris will highlight Ireland’s sensitivities around possible countermeasures, particularly in the aviation, medical technology and agrifood sectors.

The Tánaiste will also hold bilateral talks with his Spanish Minister of Economy, Trade and Business Carlos Cuerpo on the margins of the meeting in Brussels.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mr Harris said Ireland’s position is that there needs to be substantive, measured and comprehensive dialogue with the United States.

Earlier this week, he said that while he welcomed the “potential cooling” between China and the US after they agreed on a deal to slash reciprocal tariffs, he is concerned by deals that still leave tariffs in place.

Article Source – Tánaiste in Brussels for EU talks on trade and tariffs – RTE

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