Irish finance chief shrugs off U.S. tariff threats over Canada

Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.HomeNewsIrish finance chief shrugs off U.S. tariff threats over CanadaTrump on Thursday floated hitting goods imported from the EU with fresh tariffs or even cutting off some tradeAuthor of the article:Jasmina Kuzmanovic, Daniel Basteiro and Kamil KowalczeIreland's Finance Minister Simon Harris arrives for a meeting with finance ministers of the Eurozone to elect the new Eurogroup President and discuss the overall budgetary situation and the prospects of euro area, at the European Commission, in Brussels, on December 11, 2025. Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP via Getty ImagesIrish Finance Minister Simon Harris played down worries that U.S. President Donald Trump may impose tariffs on the European Union over Canada’s associate member status with the bloc.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account“I don’t think we should overstate that level of concern,” Harris said ahead of an informal meeting of EU finance ministers in Dublin. “I think it’s always very important to hear all of President Trump’s comments rather than for them to be selectively quoted.”Trump on Thursday floated hitting goods imported from the EU with fresh tariffs or even cutting off some trade if he determined that a push to make Canada a potential associate of the bloc was harmful to the United States. He also said that he wouldn’t react if the move is well-intentioned.Breaking business news, incisive views, must-reads and market signals. Weekdays by 9 a.m.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Posthaste will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen this week proposed Canada should become the first associate member of the EU, saying she would like to work with Prime Minister Mark Carney on the idea.The fact that Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne will attend the meetings is a positive sign, Germany’s Lars Klingbeil said ahead of the event.“I think something is growing here that together can have a bright future,” he said. “The EU and Canada are strategically important partners.”Canada’s government has made clear it is eager to boost economic ties with the rest of the world, including the EU, in a multi-year strategic shift to reorient trade flows more to the east and west, rather than being primarily focused southbound toward the U.S.“This has nothing to do with the United States,” Harris said. “This is about the European Union and Canada both deciding they want to have a closer working relationship on areas of mutual interest. Something that is a positive and stable and helpful development in terms of the world economy.”Klingbeil also noted that Trump had threatened the EU even before the Canada association talks came up. “We should stop worrying too much about how Donald Trump feels.”The sentiment was echoed by Lithuanian Finance Minister Taurimas Valys. “We’ve learned that we have to wait and see with these things.”With assistance from Jorge Valero, William Horobin, Andrew Langley, Mark Schroers and Alexander WeberThis advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.