Simon Harris Heads to Brussels Amidst US Tariff Threats

TÁNAISTE AND MINISTER for Finance Simon Harris is heading to Brussels to meet with European finance ministers today, where they will discuss the threat of fresh tariffs by the US. On Saturday, US President Donald Trump announced that he would be levying tariffs of 10% on all goods sold in the US by eight European nations until the US acquires Greenland. The tariff on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland would come into effect on 1 February, he said. The tariff would then increase to 25% in June. Yesterday, a joint statement from the eight countries emphasised they “stand united” against Trump’s vow to hit them with new tariffs unless Greenland is ceded to the United States. “Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral,” the statement said. Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee described Trump’s announcement as “completely unacceptable and deeply regrettable”. She warned that the tariffs “risk undermining the strength of our transatlantic relationship at a time when cooperation matters more than ever”. Advertisement Harris is to meet with his fellow European finance ministers and is expected to say that the latest developments in the US have threatened a breach of the previous economic agreement reached by the EU and US in Scotland last summer. This breach would be damaging to the EU economy, supply chains, and open trade, Harris is expected to tell the ministers. Over the next two days, Harris is scheduled to attend meetings of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) and the Eurogroup. These are the first meetings of both this year. Harris, who is still fresh into his role as Finance Minister after Paschal Donohoe’s resignation in November, said in advance of the meetings, “the first Eurogroup and ECOFIN meetings of the new year provide a valuable opportunity to engage with my fellow European Finance Ministers on the important issues facing our economies. “Both meetings also mark the beginning of two new presidencies. I look forward to hearing from the Cypriot presidency on their priorities for the next 6 months in the ECOFIN track. “Ireland will hold the Presidency in the second half of 2026 and I plan to engage constructively with my Cypriot colleagues over the year ahead.” The discussion of the economic and financial situation of Ukraine is also on the agenda.