Safeguarding jobs 'must be prioritised' in wake of US tariffs as risk of global trade war 'very real'

While pharmaceutical products remain exempt for now, the future of the sector remains clouded in uncertainty

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on EU imports will be a drag on manufacturing output and gross domestic product (GDP) growth in Ireland, with fears that punitive trade measures will also hurt the labour market and domestic demand. 

Wednesday evening saw the US President slap 20% tariffs on all imports from the EU as part of a series of measures that will hit Irish exports.