Will dairy, whiskey, wine be removed from EU counter-tariffs list?
New developments today (Tuesday, April 8) suggest the European Commission is keen to take on board concerns raised by member states over the potential impact of counter tariffs against the US as it emerged that dairy, whiskey and wine may be off its retaliatory list.
Barry Cowen, Fianna Fáil MEP for Midlands North-West, confirmed that he had seen the latest version of the proposed list of counter-tariffs and it does not include some of the products that Irish exporters were most concerned about.
Last year Ireland exported almost €2 billion worth of agri-food produce to the US while the estimated value of the US market for the Irish drinks sector is €865 million per annum,
According to the Irish Whiskey Association the US represents 41% of annual Irish drinks exports.
The Fianna Fáil MEP for Midlands North-West expects the changes to the European Commission's proposed retaliatory list to be confirmed later this week.
Cowen said: “If confirmed, the removal of these products represents a significant success for MEPs and national governments who urged caution and unity. This move will benefit these key industries by greatly reducing the US administration’s focus on them.
“The EU’s revised approach will affect fewer goods than originally envisaged and is expected to be less economically disruptive while maintaining pressure on the US administration".
He said the removal of the products from the counter tariffs list reflected "the hard work of MEPs and member states"
"This is a good day for Irish dairy, Irish whiskey and tens of thousands of jobs across the Midlands North-West and rest of the country.
"I’m proud to have played my part in making the case directly to the commission.
“When the EU’s finalised set of counter-tariffs are announced, we’ll all need to rally around them. Our strength lies in unity. The goal must be to bring President Trump back to the table and avoid a damaging all-out trade war," the MEP added.
Tánaiste Simon Harris yesterday took part in an extraordinary meeting of EU Trade Ministers in Luxembourg where the issue of tariffs and counter tariffs was top of the agenda.
He has stressed that "a trade war is in no one’s interest".
The Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maros Sefcovic, has also warned that for the EU the "current trade situation with the United States, our most significant partner, is in a tough spot".
"Right now, we are in the early stages of discussions because the US views tariffs not as a tactical step but as a corrective measure.
"We are fully prepared to sit at the negotiation table whenever our American partners are ready," Commissioner Sefcovic said.
