As the Irish drinks industry looks set to be hit by US tariffs, the Government must prioritise the protection of our agri-food and drinks producers, MEP Maria Walsh has said.
US President Donald Trump has today threatened a 200% tariff on alcohol products from the EU, including Irish whiskey. The US market currently accounts for approximately 40% of total Irish whiskey exports, while dairy exports to the US were worth €840 million to the Irish economy in 2024.
MEP Maria Walsh, full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, said:
“President Trump’s threat to hit European alcohol products with a whopping 200% tariff is sending shockwaves through the Irish drinks industry. Exports from the Irish whiskey market were worth €1 billion to our domestic economy last year alone.
“It is now highly plausible that Trump will target the agri-food industry, as was the case during his first term when he unveiled a 25% tariff on goods including Irish dairy products. Farm products were also mentioned during the Taoiseach’s visit to the Oval Office yesterday, further raising concerns that the agriculture sector might be amongst the hardest hit.
“Farmers and producers across Ireland will be watching Trump with bated breath over the coming weeks, hoping that their livelihoods are not next on his hit list.
“The Irish Government must make the strongest possible case for the protection of our agricultural sector at EU Council and Commission level as a matter of urgency. I will be raising the need to protect Irish and European farmers from a tariff war at the next possible opportunity in the Agriculture Committee, and hope to also raise it with EU Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen in the coming days.
“The hard-working Irish farmer cannot serve as the sacrificial lamb in a transatlantic trade war. .
“Jobs, investment and businesses are on the line – strong words and actions must come from the Commission and Government over the coming days and weeks.”
