Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA, Windsor Framework spokesperson, said, ‘The announcement that the EU has climbed down and accepted a near across-the-board reciprocal tariff of 15% with the USA will bring a degree of certainty to businesses across the EU. While detail has still to be worked out, the cliff edge of a 30% tariff imposition has been avoided. For the UK as a whole, the 10% tariff we have negotiated with POTUS is a deal that should give us a more favourable trading position. 

“However, as ever, the Irish Sea Border will bring multiple complications; vital imports to Northern Ireland from the United States will have to be managed through another level of bureaucracy that many small & medium companies will struggle with. 

“This is on top of the full-fat ‘faithful implementation’ Windsor Framework that is now adding so much burden to our companies and consumers. Tariff variations are just another area of contention that it is unlikely the Secretary of State will take a firm stance on to support what’s best for Northern Ireland, as he clearly hasn’t so far.

“For our Southern Neighbours, the 15% tariff, especially for the Pharma sector, will be very unwelcome news. Coupled with the very real threat of sanctions if the Irish press ahead with their IOPT bill, that is widely seen across the USA as being anti-semitic, and a strong demand from POTUS for European nations to spend 5% of GDP on defence, rather than a minuscule 0.03%, it’s clear that Ireland ‘most favoured’ nation status is a thing of the past in Washington. For the avoidance of doubt, this isn’t good news for anyone on this Island.

“I don’t think a round of golf at Doonbeg would help, but President Trump would be made very welcome at Royal Portrush.”