Tánaiste welcomes announcement of agreement between EU and US
- Published on: 27 July 2025
- Last updated on: 29 July 2025
Tánaiste Simon Harris has welcomed news of an agreement between the EU and the US following President von der Leyen’s meeting with President Trump in Scotland on Sunday.
This agreement will avoid tariffs of 30% being imposed by the US on 1 August and will also avoid the EU imposing its own countermeasures at this time.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade said:
“While, we have yet to see the detail, I welcome that an agreement has been announced by Commission President von der Leyen and US President Trump.
“A deal provides a measure of much needed certainty for Irish, European and American businesses who together represent the most integrated trading relationship in the world. Ireland makes a key contribution to this with the Ireland-US economic relationship valued at more than one trillion euros.
“The US had made clear, and this has been replicated in other recent agreements, which the US has reached with other countries, that a baseline tariff was always going to be part of the outcome. I have always stressed that tariffs are damaging and will have a negative impact on companies exporting to the US.
“While Ireland regrets that the baseline tariff of 15% is included in the agreement, it is important that we now have more certainty on the foundations for the EU-US trade relationship, which is essential for jobs, growth and investment. President von der Leyen described this as 15% tariffs across the board, all-inclusive.
“There is still a lot of detail on the agreement which will need to be brought forward including in relation to pharma, aviation and other sectors. Over the coming days, we will be examining what has been agreed and the full implications for Irish business and the economy, including any implications for the all-island economy.”
The Tánaiste went on to acknowledge the work of the EU Trade Commissioner:
“I want to express my thanks to Commission President von der Leyen as well as the EU negotiating team led by Trade Commissioner Šefčovič. Throughout these negotiations Maros has shown the determination and the political skill to get this framework deal across the line. We were in close touch throughout the negotiations, including over this weekend, and I know he took seriously Irish concerns given the deeply integrated nature of the Irish and US economies."
The Tánaiste concluded:
“In many respects this stage represented the end of the beginning phase of the negotiations, with the EU and the US now working to implement the agreement.
“The EU is committed to having an outcome that is mutually beneficial. I and my officials will maintain close contact with the Commission team as this work progresses to ensure that Irish priorities and concerns, including in the context of ongoing section 232 investigations, are resolved during the next phase. I will also be updating the Government Trade Forum on these developments in the coming days.”