CONCERNS over possible retaliatory tariffs on the US impacting the Irish bloodstock sector have been flagged to the European Union in a letter from Tánaiste Simon Harris this week.

It was reported by RTÉ News that the Fine Gael leader has written to EU commissioner for trade and economic security, Maroš Šefcovic, seeking an exemption for key sectors within the Irish economy, in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s threats to rollout widespread tariffs.

The equine industry is one of the sectors Harris has called for protection around, should trade negotiations break down and the EU decides to impose retaliatory tariffs on US products. The aviation, medical and agrifood industries were among the sectors to also receive special mention.

While trade talks between EU and US representatives have been developing in recent days, the EU has still been readying a list of multiple US product lines, reportedly worth in the region of €95 billion, which could be hit by retaliatory tariffs should those negotiations fail.

Harris wrote: “I have heard concerns both about the immediate impact of the proposed rebalancing measures on imports, but also about the potential for them to result in further retaliatory action by the US. I believe this is a reasonable and well-founded concern which we must also take account of in formulating our approach.”

Speaking specifically about the Irish bloodstock industry, Harris noted: “The equine sector provides significant employment in rural areas, with the US by the far the largest export market for Irish thoroughbreds outside the UK.

“This trade depends on horses moving in both directions. I would ask that these items be removed from the list - doing so will have a very limited impact on the overall value of the list and would reduce disproportionate impact on Ireland.”

President Trump pressed pause on the 20% tariffs until July 9th following market turbulence upon announcing the sweeping measures in April.