Stormont’s First Minister has said she will strive to protect the interests of workers, families and businesses as the assessment of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs regime continues.
Michelle O’Neill issued a statement on social media in which she said this had been the focus of her every engagement at home and abroad.
“We must ensure that our all-island economy, which has grown substantially in recent years, continues to thrive to create better opportunities for all our people,” he said.
Under the plans announced by Mr Trump, exports from Northern Ireland will face a 10% tariff, the same as goods from the rest of the UK.
The US is the second biggest market for Northern Ireland exports after the Republic of Ireland.
The top five exports from Northern Ireland are heavy plant machinery, dairy produce, pharmaceutical products, transport equipment and industrial machinery.
Exports from the Republic of Ireland will be subject to a 20% tariff, which has been applied to all EU exports.
“I will continue to speak with political and business leaders throughout this period of uncertainty, always prioritising the prosperity and future of everyone who calls our island home,” Ms O’Neill said.
Manufacturing NI, which represents big businesses in Northern Ireland, said if the UK and the EU took different approaches to retaliatory tariffs then Northern Ireland risked “falling between two stools”.
Under the Windsor Framework, Northern Ireland must levy EU tariffs on imports from the US rather than UK imports.
If it can be established that the goods are remaining in Northern Ireland rather than moving into the single market, those tariffs can be claimed back.
But Manufacturing NI said the process for doing so needed to be simplified and a specialist team of trade experts needs to be set up by the UK government to help businesses navigate the additional complexity.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said she would continue to “champion Northern Ireland”.
“This means pushing for all possible action to protect Northern Ireland, especially against any retaliatory tariffs by the EU,” she said.
Ms Little-Pengelly said the focus has now moved to “pushing forward the UK-USA arrangements … and ensuring Northern Ireland is central to these considerations”.
“In addition, all efforts to ensure EU tariffs to USA and political decisions at EU level to US do not penalise Northern Ireland business or detrimentally impact on us,” she added.
Northern Ireland’s Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald has said Mr Trump’s tariffs are “deeply regrettable”.
Ms Archibald said she had already engaged with representatives of the UK and Irish governments on the issue and was setting out a number of “key asks” of the governments regarding Northern Ireland’s situation.
She said she had spoken already to Tánaiste Simon Harris and a representative of the UK government and had set out five key asks.
She said: “First, to keep the North’s unique circumstances in mind in trade negotiations and in terms of any counter-measures.
“Second, to act in concert and to minimise divergence between Britain and the EU.
“Third, to provide a properly resourced advice service for businesses so that they can understand how tariffs affect them.
“Fourth, to improve existing trading initiatives such as HMRC’s duty reimbursement and waiver schemes.
“Finally, to bring forward an economic package that protects our international competitiveness.”
