'Jobs on the rocks'

IRISH workers could be placed on reduced hours from as early as today due to tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.

- LOUISE BURNE

Danny McCoy, CEO of Ibec, said companies, including those in the drinks industry, face immediate issues as "their demand is likely to drop quite substantially and their workers will need to go on short-time working".

He made the comments following a meeting of the Government Trade Forum in Government Buildings yesterday, which brought together senior government ministers and business industry representatives to discuss the impact of the tariffs that the US President announced on Wednesday.

A blanket 10 per cent tariff takes effect today, while the EU-specific 20 per cent tariff takes effect from Wednesday.

Following the Government Trade Forum, Ibec Chief Danny McCoy told reporters there needed to be "time-bound" supports for employers as some will be affected as soon as this weekend.