With the threat of US tariffs looming, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Peter Burke has said that the government is taking action to maintain a constructive relationship with the United States (US) to highlight "the powerful, mutual benefit of transatlantic alliance".

Earlier this month, February 2025, the government 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.

Minister Burke was speaking in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East, Albert Dolan, asking if the government has considered diplomatic strategies to mitigate the impact of tariffs on Irish agricultural exports.

The minister said the government's reaction to tariffs will be motivated by protecting the interests of European and Irish businesses.

"At the start of this month, the government decided to establish a US-based Strategic Economic Advisory Panel (SEAP), as part of our efforts to intensify our outreach in the United States. In line with the commitment in the programme for government, this panel will be composed of senior decision makers in key business sectors in the US," Burke said.

"The panel will provide insights on strategic economic opportunities for Ireland in the critically important and mutually beneficial US-Ireland economic relationship," he added.

According to the minister, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be responsible for the organisational and logistical aspects of establishing and engaging with the SEAP.

"The work of the SEAP will be complemented by the establishment of a Consultative Group on International Trade Policy," the minister said.

"The objective of the Consultative Group is to provide a structured mechanism for engaging key stakeholders in informing the Government’s approach to trade considering evolving global trade dynamics," he concluded.