Tánaiste denies US trade imbalance was discussed in call with Marco Rubio

Simon Harris said the trade imbalance was not specifically referenced during the 20-minute conversation with Marco Rubio

Foreign affairs and trade minister Simon Harris said he was the one to raise the issue of trade with Mr Rubio, stressing the importance of the transatlantic trade relationship.

Tánaiste Simon Harris has said the trade imbalance between Ireland and the US was not raised during his conversation with Marco Rubio, despite his US counterpart claiming it was.

In a statement released by the US secretary of state following his phone call with Mr Harris this week, Mr Rubio's spokesperson said: "They discussed the US priority to address the US-Ireland trade imbalance."