Ireland and EU must 'show backbone' and 'stand up' to Trump, says MEP

Vivienne Clarke

An MEP has said that Ireland and the EU “just have to show backbone” and it was now time “to stand up” to US President Donald Trump.

While every effort must be made exhaust diplomatic efforts, he told Newstalk Breakfast, there had been a complete change in the approach of the United States to foreign policy.

Mr Trump has threatened a raft of new sanctions on eight European nations due to their objection to his buying of Greenland.

The EU are currently considering what retaliatory measures to take.

“I think we've got to a point where there's no point in having further concessions, further appeasement, further flattery. We just have to show backbone.

“For a small country like Ireland, the absolute priority is for us to stick with EU solidarity.

Mr Andrews said that the degree to which the EU had stood together on the issue is "really extraordinary".

“That gives us strength in numbers, it gives us security," he said.

"There are concerns for Ireland, but I think people are overstating what the anti-coercion instrument could lead to. It is something that can be triggered, but it takes some time for it to have full effect. And the possible response measures are a whole range.”

The EU's anti-coercion instrument is an EU law that aims to protect the EU and its member states from economic coercion by third countries.

Mr Andrews also said that Ireland has to show solidarity with Denmark.

“Our Danish colleagues are calling on each of the individual member states to use whatever leaders they have to try to influence US politics, including Congress, US business, academia in the US.

"Obviously, there are weeks and weeks of diplomatic contact between Irish ministers, Irish society generally with the US, and so the Danes want us to do what we do best.”