Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris responded today, Thursday, May 29, after the US Court of International Trade ruled that President Donald Trump overstepped his authority with his sweeping tariffs.
The Tánaiste said “calm and measured dialogue” represents the “best way forward” to resolving differences between the EU and the US in relation to tariffs.
“We note the ruling of the US Court of International Trade in relation to tariffs and also the fact that this ruling is being appealed," he said on Thursday.
“I want to stress the position once again today that what is required now is for both sides, the EU and the US, to engage in calm and measured dialogue and to do so in good faith.
“The continuing uncertainty over tariffs is the source of serious concern for businesses, here in Ireland but also across the EU and the US - businesses that are concerned about their cost base, their workers, and their plans to invest.
“We will continue to monitor the implications of the Court decision in the US while keeping our main focus on the negotiations at hand.”
The Tánaiste was responding the day after a three-judge panel at the US Court of International Trade, based in New York City, unanimously ruled that Trump's "Worldwide and Retaliatory" tariffs "exceed any authority granted to the President" by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA).
The court ruled in favor of a permanent injunction on the tariff orders nationwide - Trump has 10 days to put the injunction into effect, per the order accompanying the ruling.
The US Department of Justice has already filed an appeal.
On April 2, in what he deemed "Liberation Day," Trump announced sweeping tariffs, including a 20% tariff on the European Union.
Trump said: “European Union - they’re very tough, very, very traders. You know, you think of European Union, very friendly, they rip us off, it’s so sad to see. It’s so pathetic.
“[The EU charges] 39% [tariffs], we’re going to charge 20%, so we’re charging them essentially half.”
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom - including Northern Ireland - was set to be subject to 10% tariffs.
Responding, Harris said the announcement "represents a huge challenge to Irish exporters to the US across all sectors," while Taoiseach Micheal Martin said Trump's imposition of tariffs will "have an adverse impact."
However, a week later, the day the tariffs were due to come into effect, Trump announced a 90-day pause, a move that was welcomed by Ireland.
Last week, however, Trump said he was "recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025."
The announcement was again criticized by Ireland's political leaders, with Harris saying, "Tariffs are a bad idea. They’re bad for Ireland, the EU, and the US," and Martin calling the threat "enormously disappointing."
Both again called for negotiations and dialogue.
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