The Government is convening a meeting of its trade forum in the wake of high-level visits to the US which coincided with a deepening EU-US trade dispute.
Members of the forum have been asked to meet next week to discuss the recent developments and hear an update from deputy premier Simon Harris on his call with European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic.
Mr Harris, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, said the call was an important opportunity to hear EU plans on countermeasures to respond to US tariffs on EU steel and aluminium.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin during a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump (Niall Carson/PA)
It is understood he set out Ireland’s commitment to working with the Commission on the developing situation.
However, the US’s reaction to the proposed EU tariffs has been described as “very concerning” by the Irish drinks industry.
US President Donald Trump threatened 200% tariffs on European wine, champagne and spirits on Thursday.
It came after the European Commission announced it would re-introduce old tariffs on products including US bourbon and implement new measures in response to the US tariffs on EU steel and aluminium..
Eoin O Cathain, the director of Irish Whiskey Association, told reporters in Washington DC that he there was an opportunity to avoid the implementation of tariffs on spirits: “There’s no winner when tariffs get involved. We’ve enjoyed reciprocal zero-for-zero trade since 1997.
“It’s been tariff-free for Ireland, the EU and the US, and we’ve had immense success since then.”
Eoin O Cathain, director of the Irish Whiskey Association (Niall Carson/PA)
Mr Harris, who will meet political representatives and business leaders in Philadelphia and New York over the weekend, met departmental officials on Thursday to co-ordinate the Government response to the announcements.
He will also be calling EU Trade Ministers across next week.
In a letter to members of the Government Trade Forum, Mr Harris said: “Over the weekend I will be travelling to the US as part of the Government’s St Patrick’s Day programme which has a strong economic agenda.
“Amongst those who I will meet are Enterprise Ireland and IDA client companies, Irish innovators and the financial services sector.
“It is an important opportunity to highlight the mutually beneficial economic relationship between Ireland and the US
“The European Commission has announced a stakeholder consultation process and I would strongly encourage all of you to participate, and to advise your members and stakeholders of this.”
The Forum, which was set up earlier this year, is made up of Government Ministers, State Agencies and business representative groups.
Members include the Departments of the Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Agriculture, Finance, and Higher Education.
The remaining members are Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Bord Bia, Tourism Ireland, Research Ireland, Ibec, Irish Exporters Association, ISME, American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, Chambers Ireland and the British Irish Chamber of Commerce.