Harris 'eager' for trade talks to progress around drink & pharma sectors

TANAISTE Simon Harris has said he is “eager” to see progress on trade talks around certain sectors, including the drinks industry, as a wave of US tariffs takes effect.

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Mr Harris said that while some areas have been agreed as exempt from tariffs between the European Union and the US, he wants to “tease through the detail" of other areas, citing the pharma sector in particular.

US President Donald Trump's tariffs took effect yesterday, with exporters in Ireland facing a new 15% rate applying to imports to the US.

It is not yet clear whether the drinks industry will be exempt from the new wave of tariffs.

The Tanaiste said it is "absolutely essential" to maximise the number of areas that can apply zero-for-zero tariffs.