Drinks sector ‘next major priority’ for EU on tariff talks
By Cillian Sherlock, PA
The drinks sector is the “next major area of priority” for the European Union in tariff discussions with the US, the Tánaiste has said.
Simon Harris said there was a “genuine expectation” within the bloc that the sector would have received a carve-out from the sweeping 15 per cent tariffs on most exports to the US.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, he said there had been a “real sense of optimism” that a deal would have been reached.
Mr Harris said: “When it comes to drinks, I feel there was almost an expectation that there was a potential carve out to be done, a deal that would make sense for both sides of the Atlantic Ocean – and that didn’t happen in the end.”
He added: “We obviously got a different outcome. But I know from my engagement that the European Union has now identified the drinks sector as the next major area of priority
“But I also know … in every negotiation that nothing’s agreed till everything’s agreed and final detail. ”
With the EU-US framework allowing for further discussions, Mr Harris said achieving a better agreement on drinks would be “a big deal for Ireland”.
Mr Harris, who is also the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, said: “There’s some space to have further conversations about other sectors and we in Ireland – and in fairness, we in the European Union – feel very strongly about the drink sector, the alcohol industry, being part of that.”
He said he had raised the matter with European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič and US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer.
However, he cautioned: “I’m not expecting a breakthrough on the drink sector imminently.”
Mr Harris said there are other issues which “need to be teased through”, including the definition of “generic pharma products”.
“There’s a big body of work that needs to be done in relation to that, because there’s going to be up to a 15 per cent tariff in general for pharma in the EU.
“But it does say that effectively, the current regime, ie a zero-for-zero, would maintain for generics. We don’t yet have a list of what generics are, and medical devices are the same. What is the list of medical device products?”
