US President Donald Trump has said that a EU-US tariff deal will be the “biggest of all if we make it”.
Speaking as he landed in Scotland for a five-day visit, President Trump repeated that there was a “50-50 chance” of a deal being made, however, added that there were “20 different sticking points”.
He told reporters: “With the European Union, we have a good 50-50 chance.
“That would be the biggest deal of them all if we make it.”
Earlier, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she would meet Mr Trump in Scotland this weekend to address the tariffs standoff, with a week to go until the 1 August negotiating deadline.
“Following a good call with @POTUS, we have agreed to meet in Scotland on Sunday to discuss transatlantic trade relations, and how we can keep them strong,” Ms von der Leyen wrote on X.
Following a good call with @POTUS, we have agreed to meet in Scotland on Sunday to discuss transatlantic trade relations, and how we can keep them strong.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 25, 2025
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he hopes a framework trade agreement between the European Union and the United States can be “signed off before the weekend is over”.
Speaking in Luxembourg, Mr Martin said he would “welcome an end to the uncertainty” around the trade dispute between the bloc and the US.
“The agreement will be a headline framework agreement,” he said, adding that there will be detailed discussions afterwards in respect of many products.
“I know there are intensive discussions ongoing and the reason for the intensity of those negotiations is to try to tie up as much as we can, and get certainty around the sectoral tariffs,” said Mr Martin.
“The European Union is not anxious for a retaliatory scenario, is not anxious to engage in a trade conflict with the United States.”
A ‘critical moment’
Tánaiste Simon Harris has said the EU and US have reached a “critical moment” in terms of their trade and tariffs talks.
While saying he remains “cautiously optimistic that a deal can be reached”, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade said we are now at a “critical” stage and that it is “long past time to strike a deal”.
In a statement, the Tanaiste said: “Over recent weeks, the EU has been engaged in intensive negotiations with the US to try and bring about an outcome that avoids unnecessary trade barriers.
“We have been calm and measured in our response and as we approach the deadline for the talks I will continue to engage with the European Commission and other member states.
“EU unity at this moment is critical as is reaching a deal that allows for the mutually beneficial trading relationship with the US to continue.
€300m for water infrastructre projects
The European Investment Bank is to provide a new €300m loan for water infrastructure projects in Ireland.
The announcement was made this morning after a meeting between the Taoiseach and President of the EIB Nadia Calviño in Luxembourg.
Mr Martin, attending a signing ceremony for the new loan at the EIB, said the bank was a “key partner for transformational investment across Ireland”.
He said the new investment will help Uisce Éireann to upgrade vital water infrastructure and that the loan aligned with the Government’s new National Development Plan, announced earlier this week.
The loan, signed in cooperation with the National Treasury Management Agency, is designed to enhance water security by extending water supply infrastructure and upgrading wastewater treatment plants.
It also includes investments in stormwater drainage facilities to future-proof against more extreme periods of rainfall.
Chris McCarthy, the chief financial officer of Uisce Éireann, said the investment will accelerate the development of Ireland’s critical water services infrastructure.
In recent years, the EIB has provided approximately €1 billion annually for public and private investment in water, housing and energy projects in Ireland.
Additional reporting Liam Nolan
