Navigating the new world of 20% tariffs on Irish exports to the US and the continuing threat of further sectoral tariffs will be the focus of meetings at Government Buildings.
Employers, unions, state agencies and ministers will hold dialogue at the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF), and the Government’s Trade Forum.
The LEEF, which is chaired by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, normally meets to discuss various labour matters and general economic issues affecting the country.
US President Donald Trump’s announcement of 20% tariffs announcement on Wednesday, and how these will impact jobs, companies and the economy, is the particular focus of this morning’s gathering of union leaders, employers and Government ministers.
Mr Martin will chair the meeting, which will also be attended by Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister for Finance Pascal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers, along with other ministers and senior departmental officials.
Later, the Government Trade Forum, which was established by the Tánaiste in February, will also discuss those tariffs, and the threat of further sectoral tariffs.
The Trade forum will consider the potential for a new round of US tariffs to hit the pharmaceutical industry based in Ireland.
As well as providing an update on next Monday’s meeting of EU Trade Ministers in Luxembourg, Mr Harris is expected to confirm that Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke will bring a paper on competitiveness to a Cabinet sub-committee next Thursday.
The Tánaiste will also detail how the departments of Foreign Affairs and Enterprise will prepare a comprehensive and detailed action plan – within six weeks – which can help guide Ireland through the significant economic uncertainty, as well as examine the potential for new markets for Irish exports.
Mr Harris will accept there is an immediate challenge posed by Northern Ireland being hit by a 10% tariff, while the Republic is levied at 20%, but analysis given to the Forum suggests that if Ireland was outside of the EU, it would have been hit with a tariff of around 35%.
