Archibald presses governments on north’s unique circumstances following tariff threats
Date published:
Economy Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, has written to both the Irish and British Governments today, voicing serious concerns about the threat of additional US tariffs.
In letters to the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Policy, Helen McEntee, and British Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle, Minister Archibald raised concerns on the US President’s weekend move to use tariffs as a threat to European nations in respect of Greenland.
The Minister called on the Irish and British Governments to maintain a tightly coordinated approach to the issue of global tariffs.
The Minister added: “Notwithstanding their respective trade and tariff agreements with the US, I am acutely aware that both the British Government and the EU Commission will be considering how they respond to President Trump’s latest tariff threat including, potentially, retaliatory measures.
“I expect these discussions will move at pace in the coming days. I have asked the Irish and British governments to ensure consideration of the north’s unique circumstances, where the potential for divergence between any British response compared to that of the EU, could have serious consequences for the economy in the north.”
The Minister also moved to call an urgent meeting of her Tariffs Working Group next week.
The Tariff Working Group was set up in the wake of the tariffs issue last year and brings together key business stakeholders.
Notes to editors:
Notes to Editors:
- The Tariff Working Group was established on 11 April 2025 Minister establishes Tariff Working Group | Department for the Economy
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