Following the overnight announcement by President Donald Trump of new U.S. tariffs—including measures affecting patented pharmaceuticals—Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris issued a measured response, emphasizing Ireland’s commitment to coordinated EU engagement.
“We will be studying the impact of this announcement, which includes a number of exemptions, together with EU colleagues,” Harris stated, acknowledging the complexity of the tariff rollout under the U.S. Section 232 investigation.
He reaffirmed the significance of the EU–U.S. Joint Statement issued on 21 August, which established a tariff ceiling of 15% for pharmaceutical exports from the EU. “This remains the case and underlines again the value of the agreement reached last month,” he said.
Harris also reflected on his recent diplomatic engagements in New York and Washington, including talks with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. “I remain as convinced as ever of the mutually beneficial nature of the dynamic, two-way economic partnership between Ireland and the U.S., as well as between the EU and the U.S.,” he concluded.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that Ireland will continue to work closely with European partners to assess the implications of the new measures and safeguard shared economic interests.
