Good morning,  John

President Trump’s tariff announcements have caused shockwaves across the global economy; sparking debates on trade policy and the future of international relations. 

The President’s stated goal, as he stood in the Rose Garden at The White House, was to “Make America Wealthy Again.” Whilst that may sound appealing to his vast audience in the US, the risk is that economically, we all suffer. Whether one nation will see prosperity at the expense of all others is one thing, but we and our government must take sensible policy decisions to protect the entire UK.

It’s clear that the USA has been provoked by aggressive low-tax regimes, such as those in the Irish Republic, which enticed multinational companies to set up shop outside of America. 

Irony is not dead. Those who are decrying the use of tariffs by the US seem incapable of the introspection required to realise they have imposed larger tariffs on the US for years. 

Eventually, the U.S. administration was going to respond to growing public concern over American jobs leaving its shores and the tax being placed on US goods entering the global marketplace. And now, with tariffs on foreign goods, they are attempting to restore some of the manufacturing base that has been lost to other countries.

Trump himself called this “America’s Liberation Day,” but here in Northern Ireland, we are by no means liberated from the impact of the Windsor Framework. Unlike the rest of the UK, we are particularly vulnerable to the fallout from retaliatory decisions made by the EU. We shouldn’t be.  Though the Government talks of “Re-set” negotiations with the EU, they shy away from the necessary steps of removing the infrastructure once and for all.  

At Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel this week, with our local MLA Diane Forsythe

A good starting point would be publicly declaring that they are prepared to take action against the EU if Northern Ireland is damaged by its retaliation against the USA. 

While we still await further details on the tariff announcements and how exactly they will affect us, this is not the time to sit idly spectating.

Firstly, as we navigate this uncertain territory, the focus must be on protecting Northern Ireland’s businesses and people. I hear Sinn Fein’s Economy Minister talking about “protecting the all-island economy.” What does that even mean? Does she want Northern Ireland exporters to pay 100% more by mirroring the EU tariff?

We will be engaging with both the Government and key industries to assess the impact of this announcement and, as I said during Prime Minister’s Questions, it is crucial that the Prime Minister works to mitigate the strain the Protocol places on Northern Ireland, especially in the event of retaliation by the EU that exposes the nonsensicality of this corner of the UK being placed in such a vulnerable position.

Secondly, the Government failed to undo the growth discouraging budget changes which are taxing businesses to death. Our own Government must urgently rethink its approach by removing the additional £1k per employee National Insurance hike which will stifle recruitment and growth.  

Thirdly, Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector is at the core of our economy. This trade uncertainty brings a sharp focus for us all on the importance of food security for the U.K.

With billions of pounds worth of imported agri-food produce feeding the U.K. every year, it is high time the Government grew the agri-food sector. Not just because the sector needs support but in an unstable world, the U.K. needs to have a secure supply of good food to feed our nation. That means getting rid of the death tax on family farms. This Government needs to be rewarding farms not robbing them.  

Finally, earlier this week I was proud to lead a Westminster Hall debate marking the 125th anniversary of the Irish Guards. This regiment, formed in 1900 to honour Irish bravery in the Boer War, has served with distinction in every major conflict since. It represents not only military excellence but also a shared heritage that spans across the UK and Ireland. In recognising their service, both in combat and ceremonial duties, we affirm the values of unity and duty that they so clearly embody through their motto, Quis separabit “Who shall separate us?”

Have a good weekend. 

Rt Hon Gavin Robinson MP

DUP Leader

Weekly review with Alan Robinson MLA