Remarks by Commissioner Šefčovič at the press conference with Simon Harris, Tánaiste of Ireland

Good afternoon and thank you, Tánaiste – dear Simon – for your warm welcome.

It is a real pleasure to be back in Ireland. This country holds a special place in my heart.

I still remember how the city of Cork welcomed Slovakia at the time of our accession to the European Union.

And especially in the years following Brexit, Ireland and the EU have worked hand in hand to protect the unique circumstances on this island.

My visit today and tomorrow is not just symbolic. I am here to listen carefully, but also to explain our shared agenda and what it means for Member States like Ireland.

Ireland truly understands the value of free and fair trade. Your economy is built on openness – and it has thrived because of it.

That is why, at EU level, we continue to double down on our trade diversification agenda, while ensuring the right balance is maintained.

We are already seeing the positive economic impact of free trade agreements.

Take, for example, the EU-Canada agreement, CETA.

Between 2016 and 2024, Irelands exports to Canada grew from 890 million euros to over 5 billion euros.

That is a remarkable achievement, driven largely by your agri-food exports, particularly beverages and meat.

I also know that some concerns remain, especially around the EU-Mercosur Agreement. And it is important we address these openly and transparently.

Lets look at the broader picture.

Irish and EU exports to the world support 752,000 jobs – that is one in every three jobs.

So, trade is not an abstraction. It supports real livelihoods, in every town and county across Ireland, including here where we are today.

Ireland already has a strong trading relationship with Mercosur, with total trade nearing 4 billion euros.

But the potential is far greater, especially for Irish SMEs.

97% of Irish exporters are small businesses, and for many, exporting outside the EU is still too costly, complex, or time-consuming.

The EU-Mercosur Agreement is designed to change that.

It will eliminate tariffs on 91% of all products, opening new doors for Irish businesses and giving them a level playing field in a fast-growing market.

The agreement will also create new opportunities for Irelands world-class agri-food sector.  

Today, agri-food products account for just 5% of EU exports to Mercosur. That is because Mercosur tariffs – sometimes up to 55% – effectively close the market to many European farmers.

This deal will remove those barriers.

It will help Irish farmers reach new consumers, while protecting iconic national products, like Irish Whiskey and Irish Cream Liqueur, under Geographical Indication protections.

At the same time, we are putting in place strong measures to protect EU and Irish farmers, thanks to strict import quotas and for the first time, a regulation, detailing how safeguards in the agreement will be implemented.

Let me also be clear: EU food safety and environmental standards will not be compromised, while we will monitor them on the ground. The level playing field will be respected.

Finally, this agreement is not only about goods. It is also about services – another area where Ireland excels.

Irish service exports to Mercosur are already worth 1.8 billion euros per year. Under the agreement, there will be greater market access in sectors, such as financial services, telecoms, postal and courier services, transport, digital trade, and environmental services.

Let me now turn to another vital partnership – the EU-US relationship.

The United States is the largest trading partner for both Ireland and the European Union. That is why I continue to believe that our EU-US agreement remains the most responsible and strategic path forward.

Just one example: the all-inclusive 15% tariff cap, including for pharmaceuticals, and the 0% rate for generic medicines directly benefit Irish industry and help maintain its competitiveness on the US market.

Beyond its core strengths, our EU-US agreement also lays a foundation for tackling our shared challenges together.

One clear example is overcapacity in the steel and aluminium sectors.

The EU and the US will be working together to better shield our economies from these distortions.

Next week, the Commission will propose a strong new measure to replace the current steel safeguard, which is due to expire.

To conclude, the unique transatlantic bond makes boosting our trade not just important but vital for our businesses and jobs.

Thank you.