'Priority is the protection of jobs and our economy,' Taoiseach says as US President Donald Trump to impose tariff of 20% on the European Union

Donald Trump lashed out at foreign countries which he claimed had “ripped off” the United States as he announced tariffs hitting nations across the world.

The US president said his “liberation day” announcement was a “declaration of economic independence”.

Mr Trump confirmed that from midnight in Washington, a 25% tariff would be imposed on all foreign cars imported to the US.

He also said he will impose a tariff of 20% on the European Union.

Going through a chart displaying tariffs as he made a speech at the White House, it showed that the EU would be charged 20%.

He said: “The numbers are so disproportionate, they’re so unfair.

“We’re going to have a minimum of cheating.

“Countries will finally be asked to pay for the privilege of access to our market, the biggest market in the world.”

Speaking in the White House rose garden, Mr Trump said: “April 2, 2025 will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America’s destiny was reclaimed, and the day that we began to make America wealthy again.”

Beginning his speech he said: “In a few moments I will sign a historic executive order instituting reciprocal tariffs on countries throughout the world.

“Reciprocal. That means they do it to us and we do it to them. Very simple, can’t get any simpler than that.

“This is one of the most important days in my opinion in American history. It’s our declaration of economic independence.”

Donald Trump has criticised “exorbitant Vat taxes” as he announced new tariffs.

“For decades, the United States slashed our trade barriers on other countries while those nations placed massive tariffs on our products and created outrageous non-monetary barriers to decimate our industries.

“And in many cases, the non-monetary barriers were worse than the monetary ones.

“They manipulated their currency, subsidised their exports, stole our intellectual property, imposed exorbitant Vat taxes to disadvantage our products, adopted unfair rules and technical standards and created filthy pollution havens.

“They were absolutely filthy, but they always came to us and they said we’re violating we should pay for it.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that “Ireland believes in open and free trade" and that "the imposition of tariffs is bad for the world economy".

"I deeply regret the US decision to impose 20% tariffs on imports from across the European Union.

"We see no justification for this. More than €4.2 billion worth of goods and services are traded between the EU and the US daily.

"Disrupting this deeply integrated relationship benefits no one. Tariffs drive inflation, hurt people on both sides of the Atlantic, and put jobs at risk," he said.

"We will now reflect with our EU partners on how best to proceed.

"As I agreed with President von der Leyen in our recent phone call, EU unity is crucial, and our response should be considered and measured.

"Any action should be proportionate, aimed at defending the interests of our businesses, workers and citizens.

"Now is a time for dialogue, and I believe that a negotiated way forward is the only sensible one.

"A confrontation is in no one's interests. Ireland will be a strong advocate for an outcome which enhances the existing and strong transatlantic trading relationship," Mr Martin added.

"As a small, open economy, and as a country that has built our prosperity on a policy of free and fair trade, there is no doubt that the imposition of tariffs by the US will have an adverse impact.

"Ireland’s priority is the protection of jobs and our economy. We are starting from a position of strength, and our economy is resilient.

"It is important that we focus on factors that we can control, including improving our competitiveness and investing in infrastructure.

"By working with Irish-owned companies, multinationals, our EU partners and bilaterally with the US, we can and will weather this storm.”