If US president Donald Trump goes ahead with his threat to impose tariffs on eight European countries, then the EU has no choice but to respond. There are discussions and some differences of view on how quickly the EU should now move, particularly given Trump’s failure to follow through on some previous tariff threats. But the US president must be left in no doubt that the EU will fight back against his latest attempt at bullying. While only six member states have been threatened with new tariffs, the EU must respond as a bloc. But, as the Taoiseach said, if the tariffs are put in place, then the EU has to respond.

Source: The Irish Times January 18, 2026 21:35 UTC