10 April 2025 

SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP has welcomed the EU’s decision to pause counter-tariffs against the US.

It comes after Donald Trump announced he would pause his planned 20% tariff on EU countries for 90 days.

Ms Hanna said it was crucial that decisions were made in the best interests of families and businesses in Northern Ireland and around the world.

South Belfast and Mid Down MP Ms Hanna said:

“While the back and forth around tariffs over the last week may have felt like a soap opera, there is nothing entertaining about a situation that could upend lives and destroy livelihoods in a matter of days. Some politicians across these islands, who were only too willing to use these tariffs as an opportunity for point scoring, would do well to remember that.

“The EU’s response to Trump’s pausing of the tariffs is welcome. While you can’t reason with a madman, I am glad they have acted with maturity and put the interests of European citizens first. This pause must be about more than buying time as Trump continues his crusade to launch a global trade war, it offers the opportunity for European countries and others to come together and show leadership in the face of this senseless aggression. If America is determined to stand alone, then the rest of us must stand together.

“The events of the past few weeks demonstrate the folly of putting all your eggs in one basket and relying on bad faith actors to suddenly change course. Brexit has left us at the mercy of Trump and his cronies and if we want to mitigate the worst effects of these tariffs - and protect ourselves from similar future disruption - then we must work with our European allies.”