EU News Radio

US tariffs on Irish Pharma will trigger EU-wide response - McGrath

Threats by US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on Irish pharmaceutical products will trigger an EU-wide response. That’s according to Ireland’s EU Commissioner, Michael McGrath. Yesterday President Trump said the US will impose tariffs on foreign pharmaceutical products. He cited Ireland as one of the countries that produces drugs and medicines.

 

The Trump administration is expected to announce wide-scale tariffs next Wednesday which could hit Irish exports to the US including pharma products. Commissioner McGrath says if that happens, Ireland will be supported by the EU in its response to those tariffs. 
Dur: 00:13 

US auto tariffs “deeply regrettable” - EU McGrath

Ireland’s EU Commissioner has condemned US plans to impose twenty five percent tariffs on imports of foreign cars and light trucks. Michael McGrath warned “there are only losers when it comes to tit-for-tat tariff wars”. The Trump administration is expected to announce wide-scale tariffs next Wednesday which could hit Irish exports to the US. 

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EU to apply countermeasures to US tariffs – von der Leyen

The President of the European Commission says the imposition of US tariffs on EU steel and aluminium imports is deeply regrettable. Ursula von der Leyen this morning said tariffs are taxes that “are bad for business, and worse for consumers”. She warned, the EU will now apply countermeasures which will start on April the first.

Dur: 01:01

Ireland will want to play its part in EU Security – McGrath

Ireland will “be anxious” to play its part in helping to strengthen the defence and security of the European Union. That’s according to Ireland’s EU Commissioner, Michael McGrath.

His comments follow last week’s agreement by European Leaders to massively increase defence spending and to shore up support for Ukraine.  European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen presented plans to spend up to eight hundred billion euro (€800bn) on building Europe’s defence capabilities. Commissioner McGrath says security and defence is a top EU priority given “the very changed geo-political landscape”.

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Ireland’s neutrality “entirely consistent” with increased defence spending – McGrath

EU Commissioner Michael McGrath says there is no “incompatibility” between Ireland’s neural status and plans to significantly increase spending on defence and security. His comments follow growing calls for the EU to spend much more on shoring on the bloc’s security and defence capabilities.

Dur: 00:52

Voices of young people “matter” – EU McGrath

Ireland’s EU Commissioner is pleading with young people to make their voices heard when it comes to influencing the future direction of the EU.

Michael McGrath was speaking ahead of Monday’s Youth Policy Dialogue in Dublin. Young people from across the EU will gather in the capital to discuss their engagement in democratic processes including during elections. It’s all part of the European Commission’s commitment to strengthen the voices of young people in EU policy-making. Here’s Commissioner McGrath.

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EU to push for trade deal with India

The EU and India will aim to sign a free trade agreement before the end of the year, Ursula von der Leyen has announced. The President of the European Commission is currently in India where she has been meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ireland is the EU's largest exporter of services to India, worth €4.7 billion per year. Another €500 million of goods are exported from Ireland to India each year. Ursula von der Leyen says Europe’s trade with India already generates eight million jobs, but there is potential to do much more.

 

Out words: Two of us

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EU promises ‘massive’ plan to cut energy bills

The European Commission has announced plans which it says will cut energy bills for households and businesses by hundreds of billions of Euro per year. The EU wants to help people struggling to pay their bills and to support industry burdened by high energy costs, which it says are more than double the US or China. According to the EU, the plan will save €45 billion this year, rising to €130 billion per year in 2030 and €260 billion by 2040. Announcing the new plan in Brussels this lunchtime, European Energy Commissioner, Dan Jørgensen, explained how it could be done.

Out words: Already have

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Europe’s destiny at stake, warns von der Leyen

Ukraine’s success is in the interest of the entire world, Ursula von der Leyen has warned at a conference in Kyiv. She is in the Ukrainian capital to mark three years since the start of Russia’s war. To coincide with the anniversary, the EU has announced a 16th package of sanctions against Russia targeting 48 people and 35 companies which the EU believes are supporting Putin’s war effort. Speaking in Kiyv this morning, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said the war poses a risk not only to Ukraine, but to Europe and the world.

 

Out words: Of the Atlantic

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EU McGrath calls for better support for victims of crime

An estimated fifteen percent of Europeans become victims of crime every year. And around seventy five percent of crimes are not reported to the police because people don’t have confidence in the system. That’s according to Ireland’s EU Justice Commissioner, Michael McGrath whose comments come as people mark European Day for Victims of Crime today (Saturday 22 Feb).

The European Commission is proposing revising the 2015 Victims’ Rights Directive which is Europe’s main set of rules on victims’ rights. It’s proposing a range of measures to improve the standards of victims’ rights across the EU. Commissioner McGrath explains.

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