Trump tariffs threaten main Brexit row between UK and EU | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Donald Trump’s tariffs might inadvertently explode EU-UK tensions due to a little-known clause within the Brexit treaty that might hurt Northern Ireland. Thanks to the 2023 Windsor Framework signed between former prime minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, any retaliatory tariffs imposed by Brussels on the US would even be utilized in Northern Ireland.

The US president introduced he would slap the bloc with 20% tariffs on all items bought to the US – twice as excessive as these being imposed on Britain. This was initially championed as a Brexit win, however the Windsor Framework clause might make it a bittersweet second.

The EU has sounded rather more bullish about retaliatory tariffs than the UK Government, which might imply Northern Ireland being carved off from Great Britain but once more.

DUP MP Gavin Robinson warned that Northern Irish companies “must not become collateral damage” in any commerce conflict between Brussels and Washington.

He informed the BBC: “For those businesses, particularly in Northern Ireland who are drawing product from the EU, where they’re buying their product from is going to be impacted by tariffs.”

Former Brexit negotiator Lord Frost has now intervened to demand that, ought to this come into pressure, the UK Government should unilaterally disapply the Windsor Framework to make sure Northern Ireland will not be hit.

He stated: “If this comes to pass, then the Government should use Article 16 of the Protocol, on safeguards and trade distortion.”

He cited the related provision throughout the treaty: ”If the applying of this Protocol results in critical financial, societal or environmental difficulties which are liable to persist, or to diversion of commerce, the Union or the United Kingdom might unilaterally take acceptable safeguard measures.”

While this might save Britons in Northern Ireland from struggling greater prices, it might imply yet one more livid showdown between London and the EU.

Stephen Kelly, head of marketing campaign group Manufacturing NI, says: “If the UK does not reciprocate or do the same thing as the EU we are at a disadvantage.

“Companies that buy materials in Belfast from the US will pay more than their counterparts in Bolton.”

Meanwhile, former EU commissioner Mairead McGuinness questioned whether or not the White House had thought of this main drawback when setting the UK and EU’s tariffs charges.

She stated: “I’m questioning and wondering if this is well thought-through from the US side? The US has always been a friend of the island of Ireland, and peace on this Ireland and stability.

“It certainly causes some difficulties. And rather than jump to a conclusion, I think we will have to look at this very carefully … this was not part of the discussions and thought processes when the Windsor framework was being negotiated.

“I mean, 10% isn’t good for Northern Ireland either. 20% isn’t good for us. Divisions like this aren’t helpful.”