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A FIRM AND swift response to potential American tariffs has been promised by the European Commission in response to plans by US president Donald Trump to introduce sweeping 25% taxes on EU imports.
Tariffs, a tax placed on imported goods and services, could have lasting impacts on businesses in Europe and Ireland as well as political relations between the EU and the US, The Journal reported this month.
Trump’s threat of a trade war would potentially place a €2.50 tax on every €10 worth of goods and services imported to the US, proving devastating to struggling small and medium businesses in Europe that trade across the Atlantic.
Speaking last night, Trump insisted that tariffs would be implemented imminently on EU member states over his belief that the common trading bloc has “taken advantage” of US consumers and markets.
He also falsely claimed that the EU was established to “screw the United States”, rather than to put European conflicts to rest and integrate markets within the continent. Trump added that tariffs could be as high as 25%.
It is not the first time that the US President has threatened tariffs on the EU, but, so far, nothing has come of the statements. Similar measures placed on Mexico and Canada this month were quickly rolled back after leaders came to political agreements.
In a statement to The Journal, the European Commission promised a firm and immediate response to “unjustified barriers to free and fair trade”.
Commission spokesperson for trade, Olof Gill, insisted that the EU will protect businesses and consumers in its member states. He roundly rejected claims made by Trump about the basis and establishment of the EU.
“The EU will react firmly and immediately against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade, including when tariffs are used to challenge legal and non-discriminatory policies,” he said.
It’s understood that the European Commission may seek to counter American tariffs by placing its own range of targeted taxes on imports from specific sectors of the US market, seeking to place pressure on those around Trump.
One expert, economist at the Institute of International & European Affairs Dan O’Brien, suggested that the Commission may go further and only target Republican-run states in its response.
European trade Commissioner, Slovenian politician Maroš Šefčovič, has already warned that if the bloc is hit “unfairly or arbitrarily, we will respond firmly”.
Tánaiste Simon Harris yesterday chaired the first meeting of a trade body set up in response to fears that Trump could slap tariffs on Irish exports. The Consultative Group on International Trade was established two weeks ago.
At a meeting in Government Buildings, Harris emphasised the importance of being prepared in the event of any future US tariffs. One source noted the government’s position that tariffs are economically counterproductive and drive inflation.
Government sources also note that the EU/US trading relationship is the biggest in the world, and the EU’s position is that a trade deficit exists on the European side, not the other way around.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is in Washington DC today, set to meet with Trump and build on French President Emmanuel Macron’s White House visit earlier this week. Trade, according to a statement, will dominate the discussion today.
Speaking last night, the UK’s ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson said his country and America do not need to fight over trade. He hailed Trump as a “very consequential president” and spoke to the shared history between the two countries.
Addressing a reception at his residence in Washington, the architect of New Labour said: “The US and the United Kingdom, we basically share everything together. We share people, we share cultures, we share a lot of intelligence, we share technologies, and [...] we also share some of the fighting of our adversaries as well.
“And of course one thing we don’t need to fight over is trade, because we have this fantastically fair and balanced trade relationship when we reciprocate so much – that’s just a little thing for you to remember in the coming weeks.”
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After watching that cabinet meeting yesterday with grandpa orange literally more doddery than sleepy Biden, and temu Dr Evil Musk standing over it dressed like some white boy from the hood back in the day. The fact Trump has now put murica citizenship to anyonre for 5 million while giving tax breaks to the rich…..its time the EU and the rest of the world isolate what is now a rogue state from them cos for the next 4 years, that kip is on par with NK, Russia or Iran for being a dangerous dictatorship. Even the magaverse is starting to realise donnie aint running the show and america first, reducing gas and grocery prices and looking after his 6 fingered, sister humping redneck base is not top of the list again just like in 2016
@John flynn: And excessive glue sniffing and creating multiple accounts on here makes you the bestest and bigliest troll to EVERRRRRRRRRRR be on the journal too. So you, orange grandad and all your split persoanlity accounts deserve a special blue peter badge
@John flynn: A convicted Felon representing the US. That fits. Grifting bibles, shoes, mugshots. coins, cards and state secrets.
Yes a good pick to represent Americans.
@Patrick Newell: Trump is certainly better than that little champagne socialist leprechaun we have as our president
@John flynn: Amen
@Patrick Newell: he just got Ukraine to sign over their mineral rights because Trump believes America should get something back for stopping the conflict, unlike us in Ireland, just throwing money at Ukranian chancers, the man is shrewd and as sharp as a tack, we could do with a leader of his calibre in Ireland, instead of woke, spineless idiots
@Patrick Newell: Kimmy gonna become a US citizen.
@John flynn: should all be deported asap
@John flynn: new day same TROLL
@John flynn: And your an ox
@Patrick Newell:
Well stated.
@Peter Sponge: didn’t hear he stopped the conflict!!!
@Peter Sponge: You won’t be putting that on a placard that’s for sure.
@Peter Sponge: what an nasty individual you are why don’t you join trump and his brainless followers
@Patrick Newell: He is shrewd upping the price, replacing EB-5 program, created in 1990, which made foreign investors eligible for a green card if they invest $1 million in a new business, or $500,000 in a new business in an economically depressed area. Ireland sold citizenship for €2M.
@Brian Molloy: Different type of president. One leads the government, the other is the head of state. Totally different.
@Brian Molloy: You really are a little dreg, aren’t you.
Amazing to see the EU absolutely humbled by President Trump they will bow down to a real leader. Good for him the EU is finished.
@Rian O’Callaghan: Not amazing to see the site’s multi-account troll gear up for yet another day of multi-account trolling.
@Rian O’Callaghan: Yes the EU is finished, we will just pretend the french lad didnt humble aul orange grandad about Ukraine the last day….also that AI video he shared about gaza has even got his hardcore magaverse asking now whether hes actually focused on making murica great again and not just looking for new places to build his next bunch of bankrupting casinos
@Rian O’Callaghan: this will be the 3rd time I’ve muted this fake account. It’s amazing how quickly you make new ones
@John flynn: You look like a genuine new commenter (not).
@J B: I am sure when the first batch of troops are on the ground in his grand plan with the nut job running Israel, this video and its utter disrespect wont at all wind up an area known for taking stuff like this as a joke……said no one ever
@John flynn: I cant wait for ur biggly boss and temu dr eveil musk to try and distract the magaverse when the first US coffins come home, cos this will make Iraq and Afghan invasions look like a teddy bears picnic once the US is in. But hey Elon can just go swing his chainsaw round again and that will sort it all out
@Patrick Newell: Ah love to see leftie trolls in meltdown what a time to be alive.
@Brendan O’Brien: Ah BOB the multi account troll is back
@Ger Whelan: Ah Ger my little NGO friend
@Brendan O’Brien: Poor BOB you really are an embarrassment to the internet when will you give up trolling the internet people are bored of your many accounts.
@John flynn: Ignore him he is a troll
@J B: he really is the wizard of statecraft
@Ger Whelan: keep muting
@Rian O’Callaghan: The same was said of the Brexit disaster.
The EU has nothing to fear front The convicted Felon and adjudicate l who represents the worst of the US on the world stage.
The EU will still lead the world in trade long after the Convict President is buried.
@Bat Collins: The only way the EU will survive is to bow down and accept what President of Peace Trumps crumbs he throws them. It’s a glorious time.
@John flynn: so you support genocide, that just shows everyone on here you are a horrible person!!!
@Rian O’Callaghan: President of Piss.
@Colette Byrne: Will do Collette. On this thread alone, I’ve muted Rian, JB, and John Flynn. Unfortunately they’ll have new profiles by the end of the day though
@Colette Byrne: Ah bless its Collette our local paid SF/IRA bot. How was the funeral of your colleague good day out?
@Ger Whelan: Ah poor Ger the NGO troll is upset. Bless him
It’s more distraction politics, he wants something. Or he’s trying to distract people from looking at the fact that he is gutting services for US citizens and giving tax breaks to the wealth.
See that abhorrent video about Gaza yesterday as a classic example.
@Joshua Walsh: the tax breaks for the wealthy hes forced the GOP to pass has literally sparked rebellion in red states now. Apparently GOP town halls are being cancelled in huge trump loving states now cos the locals are mad as hell but nobody in GOP or maga land have the nerve to bring it up with donnie cos hes more worried about sharing videos on gaza and handpicking which media can come suck up to him at the press briefings
@John flynn: top trolling there John. maybe he should just nuke them first, it would speed up the clean up process and he wouldn’t have to displace them. Jesus wept.
@John flynn: Might? You really aren’t an intellect are you. Have you even got 5 fingers in each hand
@John flynn: even better if Israel get it,,,
@Joe Beirne: I don’t know why anybody bothers to reply to this guy/gal. He’s not worth replying to.
Trump wants the rare earth from Ukraine but wants the Europeans to protect Ukraine and the American companies mining in Ukraine. All under American control. He already said it. Obviously the Europeans will not be inclined to happily do the dirty work without reaping any benefits. Hence he’s threatening tariffs. If the Europeans agree to do whatever Trump deems acceptable, the tariffs will be removed. It’s how he does business. Europe will need to evaluate what’s the least damaging course of action long-term. Stand up and tell him to eff off and enter a trade war, or appease him.
@Dereck: red Texas, Florida and Georgia import most from EU. This will be fun …
Hit back where it hurts the most…………. Botox , we produce 80 percent of the world Botox. Make it unaffordable. The Americans and trumpy will never survive that. On a serious note though. This ma is going to do some damage over his term in office.
@Sean Parker: would put a huge dent in the popularity of the mar a largo face
@Sean Parker: Boxox made by a US company in Ireland. Any increased tariffs would like cause that company to move, and decimate employment in the west.
@Sean Parker: I think most of the Ozempic in the world is produced in Europe, much of it in Cork.
Imagine how outraged the many fatties who voted for Trump will be if they have to pay 25% more for their weight loss drugs.
@Kevin MAC: ok thanks for that. My comment was in jest.
@Seamus Enright: And their favourite little blue pill!!
How can he not be compared to all the dictators before him, he is out to destroy world trade he is clearly unhinged and has to be the stopped.
Seen him last night at his first cabinet meeting with Musk to the fore all yes men to him, it was uncanny and not real somehow, like the mad hatter’s tea party without the costumes, all hail to the chief this is insane, he clearly wants to leave a mark on history, and hopefully he will not achieve his evil goal.
Greed fighting greed. They have destroyed their own capitalist
Ideals,how watch them destroy the rest of us on the way to making money they can never spend.
This is what is happening on a smaller scale in Ireland,don’t invest money where needed, underfund Education, housing, and health.the three Trinity’s. Then, they hit those who can’t fight back.social injustice.
Then, after they destroy all that, they go after you.
@Colette Byrne: It’s happening everywhere. Apparently in Germany you get fined if you sell your house up to 25% under value!!
@Colette Byrne: I don’t think the HSE, with a budget of €5,000 for every person in the country every year, is underfunded.
Biden/Obama turned Sth East Asia/Africa/Russia towards China. Trump will now push EU towards that axis.
Post Trump, and when the world has moved on without them, who will America have left?
It doesn’t augur well if Republicans lose control of the Senate and the House in the midterm elections in 2026. In hindsight sight the Capitol Riots will look like a dress rehearsal.
@Vincent Alexander: So you’ve said already many times. Are you going to post this fantasy you made up on every article about Trump between now and the 2026 mid term elections?
@Ger Whelan: Just once before.
Donny looks like he’s necked a few mitzi turbo’s in that pic.
We’re screwed but we’ve been here before and the wheel always turns.
@James Leahy: Biden put tariffs in place and no hissy fits from media. Pat Kenny should is convulsing with anti Trump over it. He needs time off. It’s now comedy.
@thomas molloy: Where did Biden stick tariffs on mexico and canada?
wait no he didnt but hey the go to excuse for maga when they are cornered is but but sleepy joe or hunter bidens laptop
@thomas molloy: Always thought he was a bit simple tbh.
@thomas molloy: Not like these ones. Massive difference.
Last time he did the same thing and lost, hopefully the same will happen again!
Considering the actual President of the United States is trolling the world with disgusted videos, threats of tariffs and land grabs its not surprising his Cultists here are trolling sooooo hard. Just ignore them and block. It’s like whack a mole! New account pops up, bang
@J B: Surprised you didn’t get ‘Woke’ in there as well. Any original thoughts for a new day?
Remember Spitting Image in the 1980s and there slant on Reagan. Reagan was a genius compared to Trump.
So Ireland can enforce ridiculous 24% Vat/VRT on car imports, or an extra 20 euro charged to my 16 year old daughter who didn’t realise she bought a t-shirt from the US… But when the US returns the favour it’s gnashing of teeth and heads rolling.. get a grip.. paybacks a b i atch eyh…
@Roman Walczak Sadlowski: Actually that is not what is happening at all. Duty is paid on the cost of the item. The same as it always has. If the item comes from the EU there is none and if from China, they have the cost worked in to the given price.
@Roman Walczak Sadlowski: You’re absolutely dense aren’t you? You’re utterly clueless about VAT and VRT. You also can’t seem to grasp what important duties are either. Your daughters ignorance on importing things from the US can be excused but your idiocy, well, that’s just on show for the world to see. Eejit.
@Ian: *import duties
Watching America fall apart is real car crash stuff.
I always know that his supporters were Ill educated and perhaps below par but I never realised just how simple they really are.
Pass the popcorn….
This is a very foolish move by the European Union. You don’t put out a fire by adding more gasoline to it. Trump is a businessman, not a politician. You have to approach him with that mindset and realise that he thrives on negotiation, not retaliation. Increasing EU tariffs in response to this will only vindicate his belief that the EU is an antagonistic trade threat to America. We need get Trump and his team to the table and agree to lower and equalise tariff rates. The EU is guilty of levying unnecessarily high tariff rates on American goods. There’s a 10% tariff on cars, a 50% tariff on dairy products, a 20% tariff of cereal grains, a 25% tariff on alcoholic beverages and a 20% tariff on steel and aluminium just to name a few. Let’s drop those rates so we can all benefit.
@William Jennings: true and they know if you let him bully you he will screw you into the ground. Exactly like he did the last time. He failed then and will this time,
If only.
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