FollowUrsula von der Leyen and Joe Biden at the EU/U.S. summit in Brussels via @vonderleyen
Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey has welcomed a deal at the EU-U.S. summit to suspend tariffs relating to the long running Boeing/Airbus dispute for another five years.
Since 2019, a 25% tariff has been placed on €420 million worth of Irish products such as liqueurs, whiskey, butter and cheese. Reciprocal tariffs were also placed on animal feed coming into Ireland, affecting the beef, pork, and poultry sectors.
Colm Markey said, “I am delighted to see President Joe Biden follow up on his promise of re-setting US/EU relations – with real action. These tariffs – which hit the Irish agri-food sector – were imposed by the Trump administration and had nothing to do with the dispute over aircraft subsidies. Today’s deal is a very good sign for transatlantic relations and will provide some certainty and relief to Irish exporters and importers.”
In conclusion, the Midlands-North-West MEP said he hoped the overall dispute can now be resolved.
“These punitive tariffs only served to damage our respective economies but now there is time and space to find a lasting solution. Since becoming an MEP, I have been calling for a common sense approach to be taken and co-signed a letter urging the European Commission to help affected sectors. Today’s agreement marks the start of a new era of cooperation between the European Union and the United States.”
