Economy minister concerned by Trump tariffs threat

Stormont's Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald has expressed concern about Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs on its allies unless they support his proposed takeover of Greenland.

On Saturday, the United States president said he would impose 10% tariffs on the UK and a host of other European countries which opposed his plan to take over Greenland.

On Monday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described Trump's threat tariffs on Europe as "very serious" and "completely wrong".

Archibald said she had written to both the UK and Irish governments urging them to ensure "consideration" of Northern Ireland's unique trading circumstances.

She added that the "potential for divergence" between any response from the UK, compared to that of the EU, could have serious consequences for the economy in Northern Ireland.

As part of the post-Brexit trading arrangements, Northern Ireland is part of the UK's customs territory and its exports are covered by the UK's trade agreements.

Therefore, exports from Northern Ireland are subject to the tariffs imposed on the UK by the US or any other country.

However, Northern Ireland is also effectively part of the European Union's single market for goods and enforces EU customs rules at its ports.

That arrangement, called the Windsor Framework, was agreed by the UK and EU as a way of maintaining an open trade border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after Brexit.

Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson said he did not believe the threat of further tariffs would come to pass, saying global politics was going through a "cycle of drama".

"I don't see any benefit in threatening allies on a tariffs basis because of an aspiration the president of the United States has," he said.

"He [Trump] clearly has a quest, he is engaging with our nation and others... and I suspect in a number of months if not less you'll be asking the question - what was all that about?"

Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark and as such is a member of Nato.

Ulster Unionist Party peer Lord Empey said the economic effect of tariffs on such a scale could only be negative.

The former party leader also criticised President Trump's stance on Greenland.

"To treat the Kingdom of Denmark, one of the US's staunch allies in this way, is impossible to justify," Lord Empey said.

Trump raised the possibility of purchasing Greenland in his first term and has now made it clear that its acquisition is a top administration priority, with tariff threats putting pressure on other Nato countries who have shown their support for Denmark.

Speaking on Monday, Sir Keir said the use of tariffs against allies was "completely wrong" and "not the right way to resolve differences within an alliance".

He says such actions would hurt British workers, business and the British economy.

"That's why I've been so clear on this issue," he added.

The prime minister also appeared to rule out retaliatory tariffs on US goods, saying a "tariff war is in nobody's interests".

He said he did not think Trump would take military action in Greenland, and the dispute should be resolved through "calm discussion between allies".