Relevant Matter
Public policy or programme
Public Policy Area
EU Affairs
Period
1 May, 2025 to 31 Aug, 2025
Specific Details
EU-US Trade Agreement
Intended results
To highlight that the proposed EU-US trade agreement will present further challenges to Irish farm families. Yesterday, a trade agreement between the EU and US was announced which will see a 15% import duty imposed on the majority of EU exports into the US.
That, while the proposed tariff rate of 15% is lower than the threatened 30% rate, it still represents a significant challenge for the Irish agri sector on a number of fronts. We are still awaiting the finer details of the agreement, but given Ireland's reliance on the US market, both in agriculture and beyond, its impact will be significant on Irish farm families, both directly and indirectly.
To highlight that, prior to the introduction of tariffs by the Trump administration in April, Irish butter was subject to a tariff rate of about 16%. Initial reports indicate that the proposed new 15% tariff rate will be a replacement for existing tariffs and will not be ‘stacked' on existing tariffs. Should this be the case, it would reduce the impact of the proposed new tariffs on the Irish dairy sector significantly.
That it is currently unclear what level of tariff will be imposed on other products such as Irish whiskey and liqueurs where a 15% tariff rate would be quite challenging given they previously operated on the basis of zero tariffs.
To point out that the trade deal will create many other indirect challenges as well. The UK, which struck a 10% tariff deal, now benefits from a lower tariff than Ireland making them more competitive in the US market compared to Irish goods. It also means a differential tariff between exports north and south of the border. Furthermore, many farm households rely on employment from US multinationals which may also be negatively impacted by these new tariffs.
That, from an Irish and European farmer perspective, the cost of any additional tariffs will ultimately be borne by the primary producer. It's against the backdrop of a potentially devastating Mercusor trade deal along with plans to massively cut the EU CAP budget. Yet again we are left with the potential for farmers to be the fall guys on the back of EU trade and policy developments.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Francie Gorman IFA President, Damian McDonald IFA Director General
Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?)
No
Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign?
No
Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client?
No
Lobbying activity
The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.
Informal communication (2-5)
Designated public officials lobbied
The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them.
As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
MEP (European Parliament)
Barry Andrews
MEP (European Parliament)
Barry Cowen
MEP (European Parliament)
Billy Kelleher
MEP (European Parliament)
Ciaran Mullooly
MEP (European Parliament)
Cynthia Ní Mhurchú
MEP (European Parliament)
Kathleen Funchion
MEP (European Parliament)
Luke Ming Flanagan
MEP (European Parliament)
Lynn Boylan
MEP (European Parliament)
Maria Walsh
MEP (European Parliament)
Michael McNamara
MEP (European Parliament)
Nina Carberry
MEP (European Parliament)
Regina Doherty
MEP (European Parliament)
Sean Kelly
MEP (European Parliament)
Simon Harris
Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)
Jack O'Donnell
Special Advisor to the Tanaiste (Department of Foreign Affairs)