In the last half hour, the leaders of the Northern Ireland Executive have been giving their first reactions to Donald Trump’s announcement of global tariffs.
First minister Michelle O’Neil said: “We’re going to have to continue to work our way through this, as we see what unfolds. Our priority has to be to protect jobs, it has to be about growing our economy.”
The Sinn Fein vice president hit out at the UK government, saying: “It’s so much better if we have control of our own affairs.”
‘Race to the bottom’
Deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly added: “Northern Ireland is absolutely open for business. We’ve got so much to offer.”
The DUP politician went on to say it was important Northern Ireland’s concerns were not just “at the centre of considerations” for the UK government, but also the EU, when it comes to retaliatory tariffs.
Escalating retaliation risks “a race to the bottom”, she said, urging the government to keep having “constructive discussions” with Trump.
‘It’s time to fight back together’
O’Neill added everyone is “united” in agreeing Trump’s actions cause “such instability, such uncertainty” and are “a detriment to economies around the world”.
“It’s a time for everybody to work together in terms of fighting back.”