Tánaiste to hold meetings with Commissioner Šefčovič and EU Trade Ministers
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí:
Tánaiste Simon Harris will travel to Brussels for meetings with European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and EU Trade Ministers on Thursday to discuss the latest developments on trade and tariffs.
The Tánaiste will hold a bilateral meeting with Commissioner Šefčovič on the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council on Trade where they will discuss the latest on negotiations between the EU and the US and identifying possible ways forward.
The main FAC meeting will allow Trade Ministers to exchange policy views on EU trade relations with the US and the Commission will update Ministers on the negotiations to reach a balanced and mutually acceptable solution.
There will also be a discussion on the EU’s list of possible countermeasures, published last week, to defend its consumers and industry only in case negotiations with the US fail. The Tánaiste will set out Ireland’s position as it seeks to avoid any unintended consequences for the Irish economy.
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, the Tánaiste said:
“Ireland’s consistent position remains that we need to get into a substantive, calm, measured and comprehensive dialogue with the United States. Negotiations remain the main focus for both the EU and Ireland.
“At the same time, we understand the need for the EU to undertake further internal preparations in case negotiations are unsuccessful. This is a sensible and measured approach. I look forward to engaging with Commissioner Šefčovič and my European counterparts this morning where I will re-affirm Ireland’s commitment to EU unity on this issue.”
The Tánaiste will also join other Trade Ministers in sharing his views on the future direction and governance of European Economic Security:
“Europe must take a balanced approach to economic security. We of course must always seek to protect the EU Single Market, but at the same time we must also promote the EU’s competitiveness and growth and partner with new and emerging trade markets.”