Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris is to hold talks with the leaders of the Northern Ireland Executive this evening on the trade deals with the United States.
A key focus of the meeting will be the prospect of two different tariff rates being applied on the island of Ireland.
An agreement was reached last weekend between the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the US President Donald Trump that most goods exported from the EU to the US will be subject to a 15% tariff.
However, exports from Northern Ireland into the US are subject to a 10% levy, under the deal made between the UK and the US.
Mr Harris has warned that the differentiation will pose “huge complexities” for businesses.
Mr Harris’ talks with senior figures in the Northern Ireland Executive, including with First Minister Michelle O’Neill, comes ahead of a convening of the Government Trade Forum tomorrow.
The meeting at Government Buildings has been called to map out Ireland’s response to the announcement by Mr Trump that 15% tariffs will be applied on EU goods.
The forum is comprised of State agencies, business groups, unions and senior ministers.
A spokesperson for Mr Harris said: “With a lower tariff rate of 10% announced for the UK, the Tánaiste will seek the views of stakeholders as to the scale of the challenge that would be posed by two different rates.”
Mr Harris is also expected to receive an update tonight from the EU’s lead negotiator on trade, Commissioner Maros Šefčovič.
It is understood they will discuss the ongoing work by the European Commission to agree on a final negotiation text with the US, and whether exemptions may be granted for certain key sectors.
