The government has signed off on proposals from Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris to establish a new trade policy group of stakeholders, in light of the threats of tariffs being placed on EU exports to the US by Donald Trump.
The Consultative Group on International Trade Policy will be chaired by the Tánaiste himself and will facilitate engagement with key domestic stakeholders on latest and emerging trade developments and opportunities.
It is understood that these trade developments and opportunities include the possibility of tariffs being put in place by Trump, who has frequently indicated his intention to use tariffs on imports to the US on a wide range of products from several markets around the world as part of his economic and geopolitical agenda.
Commenting on this new group, Minister Harris said: “Establishing this consultative forum is an early priority of mine as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
“Protectionism, national security concerns, and geo-strategic considerations are increasingly shaping national policies on international trade, including in some of Ireland’s largest trade partners.
“The Irish economy is highly globalised and as a result is more sensitive to developments around the world. Maintaining Ireland’s status as an open, global economy is a priority for this government and engaging with business sector representatives will help to shape our policy responses,” he added.
It is understood that the Consultative Group on International Trade Policy will bring together stakeholders to:
- Enhance stakeholder policy dialogue to bring about a broader understanding of trade opportunities and challenges;
- Discuss emerging trade policy developments and their implications for Irish sectors;
- Share expertise to inform Ireland’s trade policy, and exchange views on country and regional-specific developments;
- Update members of the committee on key developments in international trade and their impact on Ireland.
The members of the group will include relevant government ministers, and business and sectoral representatives. A full list of members is set to be confirmed in advance of the first meeting, which is expected to be convened by the end of February.
Also today (Wednesday, February 5), Minister Harris announced government agreement for the establishment of a Strategic Economic Advisory Panel, to be based in the US, which will intensify Irish outreach in the US.
This panel will be composed of senior decision-makers in key business sectors in the US. The panel will provide insights on economic opportunities for Ireland in the US-Ireland economic relationship.
Minister Harris said: “The Strategic Economic Advisory Panel will ensure that the government hears directly from senior US-based business people, invested in key sectors in the United States.”
Commenting on these developments and the Trump tariff threats, Conor Mulvihill, the director of Dairy Industry Ireland (DII), told Agriland: “We have, since the end of last year, been engaging in Dublin, Brussels, and Washington to look to get ahead of this.
“Obviously we want negotiations to be the way forward and, from the Irish dairy side, we will prepare with government for all scenarios. Obviously, with that, the EU has competency for trade for Ireland.”
On the new committees, he said: “We have been asking government to prepare, and we will be following up.”
“Irish dairy and specialised nutrition have a huge footprint in the US. We are a major investor and employer in US dairy and we also run successful export streams across many dairy and specialised nutrition categories,” the DII director said.