{"id":480900,"date":"2026-02-21T00:53:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T00:53:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/480900\/"},"modified":"2026-02-21T00:53:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T00:53:07","slug":"govt-monitoring-us-tariff-situation-closely","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/480900\/","title":{"rendered":"Govt monitoring US tariff situation closely"},"content":{"rendered":"

T\u00e1naiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris said the Goverment is “monitoring the situation closely” following the US Supreme Court ruling on tariffs.<\/p>\n

The US Supreme Court today ruled that Donald Trump exceeded his authority in imposing a swathe of tariffs that upended global trade, blocking a key tool the president has wielded to impose his economic agenda.<\/a><\/p>\n

Mr Harris said the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee will be engaging with her European colleagues in the coming days.<\/p>\n

Speaking in Limerick, he said “low tariffs are in everyone’s interests and, at a European level, we will continue to engage with our US counterparts in order to promote measures that work for all”.<\/p>\n

“Bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation deliver enormous economic benefits and we will always work towards that goal,” he added.<\/p>\n

Mr Harris said the Government is awaiting the US administration’s response to the ruling and he said it was the case that “of course, tariffs by some other means, for instance via some alternative legal basis, cannot be ruled out”.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/t.co\/vEwzJ13Z7Q<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/dTCzWoBFOU<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Ms McEntee said she noted the ruling and described it as a “significant development”.<\/p>\n

In a statement, she said: “While the ruling does not affect tariffs introduced under other legal bases, including Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, it is a significant development in the wider global trading environment.<\/p>\n

“Open, stable and predictable trade remains essential for economic growth, investment and jobs in Ireland.<\/p>\n

“I remain in close contact with the European Commission on this issue. I understand they are engaging directly with the US administration to seek clarity on how they intend to respond.<\/p>\n

“My department will continue to monitor developments closely and assess any potential implications for Irish trade, businesses and jobs.”<\/p>\n

The Irish Exporters Association (IEA) said the “immediate outlook remains uncertain” following the ruling on US tariffs.<\/p>\n

The Chief Executive of the IEA, Simon McKeever, said while the ruling looks like good news initially for many sectors, “it does not extend to pharmaceuticals, steel, aluminium or their derivatives”. <\/p>\n

“The process of unwinding duties already paid is likely to be complex and disruptive as US importers seek refunds,” he added.<\/p>\n

Mr McKeever said the US President has already “signalled that imposing tariffs under different legislation remains an option”.<\/p>\n

Irish business representative group Ibec said its members will be seeking further detail on the implications of the US Supreme Court’s ruling.<\/p>\n

Ibec’s Executive Director of Lobbying and Influence Fergal O’Brien said there are a “number of other trade and tariff instruments which the administration could use which would impact on EU-US trade”.<\/p>\n

“Ibec members will now watch with interest as to how the US government will respond to the court’s decision and consider the wider implications of both today\u2019s decision and any possible US policy reaction in the round,” Mr O’Brien added.<\/p>\n

Chief Economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs Dan O’Brien meanwhile said the court decision does not mean the end of US tariffs<\/p>\n

Speaking on RT\u00c9’s Drivetime, he said there will be tens of thousands of lawsuits from US importers trying to get their money back.<\/p>\n