EUROPEAN leaders today met amid fears of a looming trade war with the US.
President Donald Trump has announced sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China — and has threatened to hit the EU next.
But speaking in Brussels, Micheal Martin warned against any premature response.
The Taoiseach said: “We have to see what happens and assess it and measure it, calibrate the impacts, and then develop our response.
“But I wouldn’t do anything prematurely right now, until we see what exactly is being proposed, if something is being proposed.
“What is essential is that the EU acts as one and will act as one. And I think in unity, there is strength.”
Martin pointed out that the US and EU had the biggest economic relationship in the world, adding: “In our view protectionism more generally will harm citizens, no matter where they reside and that tariffs are a negative in respect of economic development.”
Trump has vowed to impose 25 per cent trade taxes on goods coming from America’s nearest neighbours and largest trade partners — Canada and Mexico — as well as a ten per cent levy on Chinese goods.
All three nations vowed to respond in kind, sparking fears of a global trade war.
Earlier, Trump agreed to a one-month pause on hitting Mexican goods with tariffs.
He said the country had agreed to send 10,000 troops to the border to “stop the flow of fentanyl, and illegal migrants into our country”.
And tonight, talks with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau were ongoing, with the levies due to come in tomorrow.
But French prez Emmanuel Macron said Trump’s policies were one of several factors pushing the EU to become less dependent on others.
He said: “The Covid epidemic and the Russian aggression in Ukraine were moments of awakening.
“What’s happening at this very moment today in Ukraine, what’s happening also now with the choices, the declarations of the new American administration of President Trump pushes the Europeans to be more united, more active to respond on subjects of their collective security.”
