Breen Defends EU’s Retalitation Against US Trade Tariffs

Clare’s Junior Minister has labelled the US trade tariffs on EU imports as ‘illegal and unjustified’.

But Pat Breen insists that the European Union’s decision to retaliate with tariffs of its own from today has the support of the Irish government and that the US cannot be allowed to dictate world trade.

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From today, the likes of Harley Davidson motorbikes, Levi’s jeans and Bourbon whiskey being imported from the US into the EU will be subject to a 25 percent trade tax.

It’s a tit-for-tat tactic by the union against American President Donald Trump putting high tariffs on foreign goods coming from Europe into his country.

The rule came into effect from midnight and EU policy chief Federica Mogherini says they were left with no choice.

It’s a controversial decision, and one which could hit firms here in the likely event that the US retaliates with even more tariffs against Ireland and the rest of the EU.

However, Clare Fine Gael TD Pat Breen has moved to defend it.

While acknowledging it was a situation that nobody wanted to be in, the Junior Jobs Minister says President Trump can’t be allowed to dominate the world agenda:

Now, focus is turning to the impact of the trade war between the two continents on businesses here.

Speaking on Clare FM in recent weeks, Louise McGuane of the Cooraclare-based Chapel Gate Whiskey outlined how vital it is for her and for other producers to have open access to the American market.