Minister McEntee to attend Foreign Affairs Council on Trade

Ireland - The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, will take part in her first meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) in Brussels today (Monday).

Minister McEntee will meet with other Trade Ministers and Commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, to discuss recent developments in international trade. The US Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, and Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, will also join the meeting.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Minister McEntee said: “I am looking forward to my first

meeting as Trade Minister with my European counterparts and Commissioner Šefčovič today. Since the beginning of the year, the international trade landscape has fundamentally changed, impacting Irish and European businesses and consumers. I am committed to working with my European colleagues to address the challenges we now face.

“I welcome the opportunity to discuss ongoing trade negotiations, China and EU-US trade relations. In the new international trade environment it is vital that we seek to diversify our markets and strike trade deals with new, reliable partners around the world. I will be delivering the clear message that Ireland supports EU efforts to achieve this and how it is especially important in the context of the current global trade turbulence.”

“I am looking forward to the lunch discussion with our US counterparts. Now is the time to build on the EU-US Trade Agreement in August and reinforce the transatlantic trade relationship. The EU and US must approach our trade relations in a positive, constructive manner based on mutual respect, shared values and common goals as we work towards a new and mutually beneficial trade and investment relationship.”