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Trump tariffs 'biggest threat to Irish economy in long time' Trump tariffs 'biggest threat to Irish economy in long time'
(about 2 hours later)
President Trump is expected to announce a new round of tariffs laterPresident Trump is expected to announce a new round of tariffs later
US President Donald Trump's tariff announcement is the most serious issue to face the Irish economy "in a long time", the taoiseach (Irish prime minister) has said. Leaders on both sides of the Irish border are bracing themselves for US President Donald Trump's tariff announcement later, with the taoiseach (Irish prime minister) describing it as the most serious issue to face his country's economy "in a long time".
President Trump is expected to announce a new round of tariffs later on Wednesday. Micheál Martin said it was clear the scale of the tariffs would be "very significant in European terms".
Speaking in the Dáil (Irish parliament) on Wednesday morning, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it was clear the scale of the tariffs would be "very significant in European terms". Meanwhile Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK government is "looking carefully" at the prospect of any retaliatory tariffs the EU may announce in response to the tariffs, and the impact they might have in Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the government is "looking carefully" at the prospect of any retaliatory tariffs the EU may announce in response to the tariffs, and the impact they might have in Northern Ireland. Sir Keir said No 10 would be "calm and pragmatic" and keep in mind concerns in Northern Ireland.
The prime minister was asked by DUP leader Gavin Robinson if the government was prepared to take steps to exempt Northern Ireland from any possible EU actions that could follow the tariff announcements in Washington DC. The prime minister was asked by Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Gavin Robinson if the government was prepared to take steps to exempt Northern Ireland from any possible EU actions that could follow the tariff announcements in Washington DC.
Sir Keir said No 10 would be "calm and pragmatic" and keep in mind the concerns of workers and businesses in Northern Ireland.
"Northern Ireland will be at the forefront of all our decisions," he told the House of Commons."Northern Ireland will be at the forefront of all our decisions," he told the House of Commons.
Robinson later urged Sir Keir to "stand up for Northern Ireland".
He said the prime minister needs to "recognise that our unique position may require specific support from the government if we become victims of EU retaliatory trade actions".
The UK government has been trying to negotiate an exemption but now expects that tariffs will be imposed on UK goods.The UK government has been trying to negotiate an exemption but now expects that tariffs will be imposed on UK goods.
Tariffs are effectively taxes applied to goods imported from other countries.Tariffs are effectively taxes applied to goods imported from other countries.
Governments impose tariffs in the hope of protecting local manufacturers from international competition.Governments impose tariffs in the hope of protecting local manufacturers from international competition.
Northern Ireland sold goods worth about £1.3bn to the US in 2023, with a concentration in pharmaceuticals and industrial machinery.Northern Ireland sold goods worth about £1.3bn to the US in 2023, with a concentration in pharmaceuticals and industrial machinery.
Ulster University economist Esmond Birnie has estimated that tariffs of 20% on Northern Ireland goods entering the US could cost local businesses at least £100m in lost sales. How could the Trump tariffs affect Northern Ireland?
'Reckless' Ulster University economist Esmond Birnie has estimated that tariffs of 20% on Northern Ireland goods entering the US could cost local businesses a "direct and narrow" impact of at least £100m in lost sales.
In the Dáil, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that planned counter tariffs from the EU were "reckless" in response to Trump. He said second and third round effects, such as an overall reduction in global trade, could push the overall negative impact up to between £200m and £300m.
The taoiseach said that it was regrettable that Europe was now in a period of "increased protectionism" and urged the EU to be "strategic"' in regards to any counter measures.
'Challenging'
Estimating the impact of tariffs on Northern Ireland Mr Birnie has calculated a "direct and narrow" impact of £100m in reduced sales from a 20% tariff.
He said second and third round effects, such as an overall reduction in global trade, could push the overall negative impact up to £200m - £300m.
He added that even a drop of £100m could still have a significant impact on overall economic performance.He added that even a drop of £100m could still have a significant impact on overall economic performance.
"It is only about 0.2% of Northern Ireland's overall GDP, which is about £50bn," he said."It is only about 0.2% of Northern Ireland's overall GDP, which is about £50bn," he said.
"However, if Northern Ireland's growth in GDP this year is well under 1% - and this is quite likely - that would be equivalent to a quarter of economic growth.""However, if Northern Ireland's growth in GDP this year is well under 1% - and this is quite likely - that would be equivalent to a quarter of economic growth."
Stuart Anderson, from the NI Chamber of Commerce, said the US was a really important market and called on the UK government to "respond really, really clearly" after Wednesday's announcement. Analysis: The tariffs tit-for-tat and Northern Ireland
He added that could get "challenging" if the EU and UK respond differently. by John Campbell, BBC News NI economics editor
Whiskey
Jim Nash, of County Tyrone-based Wild Atlantic Distillery, says tariffs could be 'catastrophic' for small Irish whiskey producers
Jim Nash is joint owner of the Wild Atlantic Distillery in Aghyaran, near Castlederg, in County Tyrone.
Their main target market for their whiskey is the United States and he fears tariffs could be "catastrophic" for small producers like them.
For the moment, until Trump announces the detail and extent of the tariffs, Mr Nash said it was a worrying time.
"There's always trepidation because 50% of Irish whiskey sales go to the US," he said.
According to the Irish Whiskey Association, exports of Irish drinks to the US are worth more than €800m a year.
Mr Nash said he was not confident that being based in the UK would protect them from tariffs.
"We go under the label of Irish whiskey, sell our products as Irish whiskey, so my concern - as legal advisers have said - is that there might be a little bit of leeway because we're part of the UK, if tariffs are imposed.
"But how is that on the ground? You know, there's 500 pallets of Irish whiskey coming through, is a customs official on the ground going to make a distinction?
"The law is one thing but the implementation is another thing and it might be that it's just a blanket ban and I wouldn't be so confident that the UK will be able to escape these tariffs if they're implemented as well."
The Irish Whiskey Association says drinks exports to the US are worth more than 800m Euro annually
Analysis: Will exports collapse?
We shouldn't expect that exports to the US from Northern Ireland will collapse, because very often when you're a manufacturer competing on a global stage, you're not doing that solely on price.We shouldn't expect that exports to the US from Northern Ireland will collapse, because very often when you're a manufacturer competing on a global stage, you're not doing that solely on price.
It's not like there's a load of American companies who can immediately substitute what you're doing at a cheaper rate.It's not like there's a load of American companies who can immediately substitute what you're doing at a cheaper rate.
What you're probably likely to see is the volume of goods that might be sold into the US will decline just because they get more expensive.What you're probably likely to see is the volume of goods that might be sold into the US will decline just because they get more expensive.
There is also a Windsor Framework element to this – not on the export side because Northern Ireland goods going into the US are just UK goods.There is also a Windsor Framework element to this – not on the export side because Northern Ireland goods going into the US are just UK goods.
But goods coming into Northern Ireland have to meet EU rules, so you could have a situation where the UK doesn't retaliate, doesn't impose any tariffs on US goods, but the EU would retaliate.But goods coming into Northern Ireland have to meet EU rules, so you could have a situation where the UK doesn't retaliate, doesn't impose any tariffs on US goods, but the EU would retaliate.
In that circumstance, US goods entering Northern Ireland would have to pay the EU tariffs but US goods entering the rest of the UK would not have to pay the tariffs.In that circumstance, US goods entering Northern Ireland would have to pay the EU tariffs but US goods entering the rest of the UK would not have to pay the tariffs.
There is the possibility that Northern Ireland importers could get a rebate of the tariff if they can show that the goods are staying within Northern Ireland.There is the possibility that Northern Ireland importers could get a rebate of the tariff if they can show that the goods are staying within Northern Ireland.
What about the Republic of Ireland? How do Northern Ireland businesses feel about US tariffs?
Stuart Anderson, from the NI Chamber of Commerce, said the US was a really important market and called on the UK government to "respond really, really clearly" after Wednesday's announcement.
He added that could get "challenging" if the EU and UK respond differently.
Jim Nash, of County Tyrone-based Wild Atlantic Distillery, says tariffs could be 'catastrophic' for small Irish whiskey producers
Jim Nash, joint owner of the Wild Atlantic Distillery, near Castlederg, County Tyrone, said tariffs could be "catastrophic" for small producers like them.
The main target for their whiskey is the United States - according to the Irish Whiskey Association, exports of Irish drinks to the US are worth more than €800m (£669m) a year.
Mr Nash said he was not confident that being based in the UK would protect them from tariffs.
He said while "there might be a little bit of leeway because we're part of the UK", their product is labelled as Irish whiskey and that could cause issues when it goes through customs.
"The law is one thing but the implementation is another thing and it might be that it's just a blanket ban and I wouldn't be so confident that the UK will be able to escape these tariffs if they're implemented as well."
How is the Republic of Ireland reacting to Trump's tariffs?
In the Dáil (Irish parliament), Taoiseach Micheál Martin signalled that the country was readying itself for the impact of President Trump's tariff announcement later on Wednesday evening.
Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Féin's leader of the opposition, said that planned counter tariffs from the EU were "reckless" in response to Trump.
The taoiseach said that it was regrettable that Europe was now in a period of "increased protectionism" and urged the EU to be "strategic"' in regards to any counter measures.
US tariffs could have a more profound effect on the Republic of Ireland's economy.US tariffs could have a more profound effect on the Republic of Ireland's economy.
Among EU countries, Ireland is the most reliant on the US as an export market.Among EU countries, Ireland is the most reliant on the US as an export market.
In 2024, almost a third of the country's total exports were to the US - worth €73bn (£61bn).In 2024, almost a third of the country's total exports were to the US - worth €73bn (£61bn).
President Trump has previously indicated his discontent with the scale of manufacturing by US pharmaceutical firms in Ireland.President Trump has previously indicated his discontent with the scale of manufacturing by US pharmaceutical firms in Ireland.
'People are going to die'
Gareth Sheridan said some people won't be able to afford important treatments if the tariffs go aheadGareth Sheridan said some people won't be able to afford important treatments if the tariffs go ahead
Gareth Sheridan, chief executive of pharmaceutical firm Nutriband, said the global supply chain would be drastically affected if the tariffs go ahead.Gareth Sheridan, chief executive of pharmaceutical firm Nutriband, said the global supply chain would be drastically affected if the tariffs go ahead.
"On this island we make very important medications, chemotherapy treatments, heart medications, antibiotics, pain medications, diabetes medications," the Dublin man said. He said his firm makes important drugs including chemotherapy treatments, antibiotics and pain medication in Ireland.
"One in four Americans have actually foregone treatment because of the cost associated with that and now we're talking about increasing medications by 25%, which insurance companies most likely won't take on, so this is going to be an extreme burden on the patient. Mr Sheridan said a quarter of Americans had "foregone treatment" because of the cost and that could rise by 25%, becoming "an extreme burden on the patient".
"If you have a 25% hike on chemotherapy and you can't afford your treatment anymore what's the alternative? Ultimately, people are going to die and they're going to die because they can't afford to live.""If you have a 25% hike on chemotherapy and you can't afford your treatment anymore what's the alternative? Ultimately, people are going to die and they're going to die because they can't afford to live."
Neale Richmond said the Republic of Ireland was facing the "existential economic threat" in a good position Matthew Butt (right) said it the US tariffs were "very worrying" for Ireland
Speaking to the Good Morning Ulster programme on Wednesday, Neale Richmond, the Irish minister of state for foreign affairs and trade, said €50bn (£42bn) of pharmaceuticals are sold every year from the republic to the US. On the street of Dublin, there was concern about the impending tariffs.
"We will listen intently, but we have been preparing for this for quite some time and we're poised to act with European colleagues regardless of what is said," he said. Matthew Butt said it made no sense that the United States were "attacking a country that's worked very closely with them".
"We don't expect to lose all our exports to the US regardless of tariffs. There are cancer patients and diabetics in the US who will still need these drugs regardless of the price. "From our perspective it's very tough because we have this huge export with Irish whiskey and lots of Irish cultural products that go out to the US and that's going to be a huge blow to our economy.
"In a worst case scenario we think about 80,000 jobs won't be created in the republic under a new tariff regime and that our economic growth will slow down from by 2.5-3% to closer to 1%. "It's very worrying."
"What that means is that the Irish economy won't have the level of surplus that we have had the last number of years." Sophia Matthews said he was "accidentally making an enemy of everyone that the US trades with".