EU-US trade: Simon Harris holds constructive meeting with new US ambassador

Simon Harris used the meeting to underline Ireland's strong support for EU efforts to reach an agreement.

Tánaiste Simon Harris has held what he described as a constructive and substantive meeting with the new US ambassador amid trade war fears.

Mr Harris met with Ed Walsh on Monday as EU trade ministers gathered in Brussels to discuss a response to Donald Trump's warning of a 30% tariff on goods coming from the EU if a deal is not reached by August 1.

The minister for foreign affairs used the meeting to underline Ireland's strong support for EU efforts to reach an agreement.

At what was labelled a critical moment in the talks, Mr Harris told the new ambassador that there is a "landing zone" in terms of an agreement in principle that could be reached before the deadline.

The meeting also saw the issue of the pharmaceutical sector raised with Mr Harris emphasising that it is an area of significant concern for Ireland.

The Trump administration launched a Section 232 investigation in April to determine which drug manufacturers are operating in countries that pose a national security threat to the US.

There could be a distinction between US Section 232 tariffs for countries that pose national security concerns versus localities like Ireland.

Beyond the ongoing trade tensions, the pair discussed both countries' desire to see a ceasefire in the Middle East as well as the continuing conflict in Ukraine.

Closer to home, Mr Harris and Mr Walsh spoke about the success of Ireland's J1 visa programme after a temporary pause was put on new student visa appointments earlier this year.

The pause was lifted last month but it was announced that young people applying for J1 visas will undergo “comprehensive and thorough vetting” of their social media.