Simon Harris warns of major job losses if US imposes 30% EU trade tariffs

Simon Harris will warn Cabinet that a US-EU trade war could cause major job losses and hit Ireland’s economy if talks fail before August

Tánaiste Simon Harris speaking to media outside Government Buildings after a meeting with the new US Ambassador to Ireland Edward S Walsh on Monday. Picture: Cillian Sherlock/PA

A 30% tariff trade war with the US would have “significant” impacts on the Irish economy, including an increasing rate of job losses, ministers will be warned on Tuesday.

Simon Harris, the Tánaiste and foreign affairs and trade minister, will issue the warning at a Cabinet meeting, as the EU tries to avoid an all-out trade war with the US, after Donald Trump upended negotiations by demanding a deal by August 1 or face a 30% tariff on goods coming to the US from the EU.