EU will take time to respond to Trump reciprocal tariffs, Irish PM says

, Reuters -  12:25 PM ET 3/19/2025 Company News

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DUBLIN (Reuters) - The European Union will take "a bit of time" before it responds to the new reciprocal tariff rates U.S. President Donald Trump plans to outline on April 2, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said on Wednesday.

The White House said on Tuesday that Trump intends for the reciprocal tariff rates to take effect on April 2, despite comments from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that indicated a possible delay in their activation.

In the past week, Washington has imposed tariffs on steel and aluminium, the EU has set out plans for retaliation, and Trump has threatened 200% tariffs on EU wine and spirits, separate to the promise of further tariffs on April 2.

"Obviously there has to be a comprehensive response to any tariffs that would be announced on April 2, and the EU will be allowing a bit of time after April 2 before it responds, so I believe the EU will adopt a strategic approach," Martin told Ireland's parliament.

EU-member Ireland is among the countries most exposed to Trump's policy proposals, with a significant proportion of employment, tax receipts and exports all directly dependent on a cluster of U.S. multinational firms.

(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; editing by William James)

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