A Clare farming representative is warning a knee-jerk reaction to Trump’s tariff agenda would be the worst thing the EU could do.
It comes amid calls from the likes of Germany for swift action in the event negotiations fail to reach mutual agreement, while China has become the first major power to react; fighting fire with fire.
China has become the first country to hit back with identical tariffs to what President Donald Trump imposed on their country since Wednesday, announcing that it will impose new 34% retaliatory tariffs on US goods.
So far, Europe has taken a different approach, trying not to ramp up tensions.
Here, Aontú will be using it’s Private Members Business slot next week to move a motion seeking the Oireachtas Finance and Enterprise Committees to be urgently reinstated, after the delay caused by the Dáil Speaking Rights row in recent weeks.
The party is also calling on the government to take a stronger and more direct role in negotiating with the US administration.
Today, employment and labour groups are meeting the Government to discuss their fears about the new tariffs.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin says the Trump administration’s dim view of the EU doesn’t help things.
The agriculture sector is one of the most likely to take a hit as a result of the tariffs, but a Former Clare-based ICSA General Secretary says there’s a lot of detail we need to digest before taking action.
Cratloe Farmer Eddie Punch believes now is the time for cool heads.
The US market accounts for around 11% of food and drink exports from Ireland, but one Clare-based company thinks the impact of tariffs will be minimal for many Irish companies.
Owner of the Burren Smokehouse in Lisdoonvarna, Birgitta Curtin says those exporting smaller volumes of goods will avoid heavy tariffs and companies like theird trading in luxury goods aren’t aiming at a price sensitive market.
Eyes will now turn to Donald Trump and what response he’ll have to China, to gauge how their approach will work, with the US stock market also set for a further dip, when it opens in around an hour.
You can listen to the full interview here:
