The European Union rolled out new tariffs against the United States, targeting $28 billion in exports, in retaliation for President Donald Trump's 25% tariff on steel and aluminum.
The EU slapped tariffs on U.S. textiles, home appliances, agricultural goods, motorcycles, bourbon, peanut butter, and jeans, along with steel and aluminum. EU officials have said the tariffs target Republican-controlled states, including Kansas, Nebraska, Alabama, and Georgia.
“We deeply regret this measure,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. "Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers. These tariffs are disrupting supply chains. They bring uncertainty for the economy.
“We firmly believe that in a world fraught with geopolitical and economic uncertainties, it is not in our common interest to burden our economies with tariffs,” she added.
Von der Leyen opened the door to removing the tariffs, saying the 27-nation bloc “will always remain open to negotiation.”
Trump is meeting with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Wednesday in the Oval Office to celebrate St. Patrick's Day a few days before the holiday. Ahead of the meeting, Martin hinted they would discuss the tariffs.
"I'm looking forward to it," he said of their meeting. "It's a welcome opportunity. It reflects the very strong tradition between Ireland and the United States in celebrating the Irish American diaspora. It's normally done in the week of Saint Patrick. Ireland Heritage Month was announced by the president in a very positive way.
"I think it's an opportunity to celebrate that in the first instance and then to discuss the issues of the day, and, obviously, the economic relationship will be very strong and a key part of it," Martin added.
Martin said he would argue that investment is a "two-way street" between the U.S. and Ireland and that tariffs would harm a "small open economy" such as Ireland.
Trump signed a proclamation designating March as "Irish-American Heritage Month," to "commemorate the special bond of friendship between the United States and Ireland" and to "honor the extraordinary contributions of Irish-American citizens past and present."
“They’re a great people, and they voted for me in heavy numbers so I like them even more," Trump said while signing the proclamation. "You have to like them. You know, you’re not supposed to but you have to like them.”
The proclamation also brought up the possibility of using the U.S.'s relationship with Ireland to work on a trade deal with the EU.
US AND EU OFFER OPPOSING STATEMENTS ON ALAWITE AND CHRISTIAN POGROMS IN SYRIA
"As my administration works to correct trade imbalances with the European Union, our historic relationship with Ireland presents an opportunity to advance fairer trade policies and stronger investment opportunities that benefit both nations," it reads.
The U.S. typically hosts the Irish taoiseach around St. Patrick's Day to commemorate the Irish diaspora and U.S.-Ireland ties.