EU-US trade talks and climate
Deputy Collins warned about trade negotiations with the United States and their climate implications. The Tánaiste said Ireland supported EU-US trade talks but would continue to press for adherence to the Paris Agreement.
Why not? Has the Tánaiste not received an update?
Comment on this
I am seriously concerned by the Government's stance on climate change after what happened this morning. Yesterday, we all received an email addressed to the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Humphreys, and the Tánaiste, Deputy Coveney, saying:
We the undersigned write as a matter of urgency in advance of the informal meeting of EU trade ministers of February 21st [that is today]. We understand that it is proposed to advance two negotiating mandates for trade talks with the United States of America at these meetings. This is despite the US President's position on withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement and the clear and unequivocal position set out by the EU Commission and EU leaders in 2018 that real commitment to climate action, the Paris Agreement, is a precondition to any trade deal providing access to the EU market, the second largest economy in the world.
Are we getting involved in those negotiations today or are we stepping out of them?
Comment on this
For many years, Ireland has been in favour of progressive trade talks between the EU and the US and we are still in favour of that. Of course, we want to advocate for an adherence to the Paris Agreement on climate change, which we will do, but the idea that Ireland would not be supportive of improved facilitation of trade between the EU and the US would be totally counter-productive.