Des O'Sullivan: Irish art market proves tariffs don't always work

Our VAT at point of entry — a tariff — has prevented Ireland's art market from taking any advantage of the fallout of Brexit in the UK

'The Starry Night' by Vincent Van Gogh from the collection of the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

At a time of great global uncertainty and concern about US President Donald Trump's protectionist behaviour the Irish art market, though small, offers a ray of consolation. It demonstrates that tariffs don't always work. 

Without them, America built incredible collections.