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Retaliating Against U.S. Digital Services Not EU Position, Ireland Says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 3, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 24, 2026
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Ireland's trade minister states the EU's position is to negotiate rather than retaliate against US digital services, despite French comments suggesting otherwise.
Ireland Clarifies EU's Position on US Digital Services Retaliation
DUBLIN (Reuters) - Targeting U.S. digital services in potential reciprocal trade measures is not the European Union's position and would be very damaging for Ireland, trade minister Simon Harris said on Thursday, urging negotiations.
Harris was responding to comments from a French government spokesperson that services, notably digital services, were likely to be a focus of EU measures considered in response to new U.S. tariffs. Many U.S. tech giants have their EU headquarters in Ireland.
"That's not the position of the European Union. Different countries may have different perspectives, but the position of the European Union is outlined by the Commission president this morning," Harris told national broadcaster RTE.
"I can understand why countries reference the instruments that are at our disposal, should they be required, but we should really work to avoid ever getting to that point... The position has to be negotiate to a better level and I am confident that that's where the very significant majority perspective is," Harris said.
(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Catarina Demony)
Key Takeaways
- •Ireland opposes targeting US digital services.
- •EU's official position is to negotiate, not retaliate.
- •French comments suggest digital services focus.
- •Ireland hosts many US tech giants' EU headquarters.
- •Simon Harris emphasizes negotiation over conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions about Retaliating against U.S. digital services not EU position, Ireland says
1What is the main topic?
The main topic is the EU's stance on retaliating against US digital services, as clarified by Ireland's trade minister.
2What did the French government suggest?
The French government suggested that digital services might be a focus of EU measures in response to US tariffs.
3What is Ireland's position on this issue?
Ireland opposes targeting US digital services and supports negotiation as the EU's official stance.
