Irish MEP calls for 'measured' EU response after Trump's 'Apprentice style' tariff announcement
James Cox
The EU response to Donald Trump's tariffs should be "measured and strategic" rather than reactionary, according to an Irish MEP.
Speaking to BreakingNews.ie, Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh said she felt like she was watching an episode of The Apprentice as the US president announced his tariffs on 'Liberation Day'.
"It was like watching a scene out of The Apprentice with the big board open and him going through it line by line. It is comic in value, but the fact that we're living through this in 2025 and a country that has paved the way for democracy and diplomacy as we know it, historically, is doing this is worrying.
"We have to face the demons that are and sadly, this is what this Trump istration is."
Ms Walsh added: "I'm with the the Irish Government in the sense that waiting to respond with measures is better than going down the route of tit for tat, which I don't think will serve us well.
"It hasn't served the American people to this point, and certainly won't serve Europeans."
Ms Walsh, who is an MEP for the Midlands–North-West constituency, expressed concerns about how the trade deficit with Northern Ireland will affect businesses.
Mr Trump has imposed a 20 per cent tariff on EU products, while the UK rate is 10 per cent.
She also said pharmaceutical companies in Ireland should be wary of further announcements from the US. The initial list appeared to exclude tariffs on pharmaceutical products, but she warned "president Trump could change all that in 24 hours".
On an EU level, she said a united front is the most important thing.
"We certainly need to make sure we're collected and combined. That includes the likes of Viktor Orban and Hungary and other pro-Maga, pro-Russia governments in the EU. We just have to make sure we're united as much as possible.
"If you look at the economics of it, we are most impacted given our reliance on the likes of FDI companies and the border now."
Ms Walsh added: "The fact that it wasn't too long ago we fought really hard against a hard border, and obviously generations before us, and this just complicates that and gives us a lot of headaches.
"It just created such a wealth of for Brexiteers, which is another troubling issue if we look at the culture of which this Trump 2.0. Liberation Day has brought here. That is troubling because we have a growing anti-EU sentiment in Ireland.
"We still need to have a more balanced approach, making sure that we are being strategic in what we go back with and then ultimately listen."
Ms Walsh emphasised the trading opportunities present with other markets besides the US.
She added that Mr Trump's belief that trade levels cannot rebound without the US is misguided.
I'm looking at reports and it's 'Trump doesn't believe that the trade can happen around America', which it absolutely could.
"I mean we have the Commission looking at India, Central Asia. We have the quite controversial Mercusor trade deal, we have Switzerland, Canada and Mexico. Now they're more alienated by their closest neighbours.
"I'm looking at reports and it's 'Trump doesn't believe that the trade can happen around America', which it absolutely could.
"Normal Mary and Joe Soaps feel this first in America and then we'll feel this across the EU, which is incredibly difficult. To explain to people and businesses where in the EU, and particularly in Ireland, that you say you know, 'here's our response, here's our measures'.
"We rely so heavily on FDI, in particular pharmaceuticals. Bear in mind, pharmaceuticals still need a presence in Europe and about 60 per cent of their exports are for the European market. I don't expect for them to shut up and and return tomorrow."
She added: "This will play out in of we have a lot of products that go back and forth. There is €4 billion in trade per day between the EU and US.
"To maybe start in the EU added on with materials, raw materials from the US come back, then the final product is sent back to the US or sold in the EU. When you add those 20 per cent tariffs up it will really impact companies."
Ms Walsh said Mr Trump's recent rhetoric concerning Ireland was a further example of how the State benefits from EU hip and protection.
'Wake up call'
"President Trump's narrative around Ireland, even on Saint Patrick's Day or since, we're very much at the forefront of his mind.
"It's difficult with the uncertainty to focus, but we need to figure out a way to have that measured response, be strategic, work together and then make sure businesses and those that are creating these services and products from their kitchen tables, they know that they have access into other markets, in particular the EU."
She also said the tariffs should be a "wake up call" to the European Commission to reduce red tape for companies that want to expand their business into different member states.
