DUBLIN, Ireland: Tanaiste Simon Harris has urged continued efforts to expand global markets for Irish goods, saying the temporary pause in U.S. tariffs must not slow momentum.

Speaking in Dublin this week, Harris described the EU-U.S. trade relationship as "vital" and worth 1.6 trillion euros annually, but added that it "makes sense to further diversify" trade ties.

His comments followed a 90-day suspension of increased tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. The move paused new U.S. duties on EU goods and put EU countermeasures on hold, though tariffs on steel and aluminium imports remain in place.

Harris, who also serves as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, welcomed the reprieve but cautioned that the underlying risk to the Irish economy remains high.

"Yesterday, today, provides a moment of reprieve, a moment to perhaps breathe," he said. "But there's a huge amount of work that needs to be done, and there isn't an hour to lose, let alone a day."

After meeting U.S. commerce secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington, Harris said he sensed a shift toward negotiation. However, he emphasised the importance of market expansion beyond the U.S.

"We want to do more trade with the United States, of that there's no doubt. But it also makes sense to further diversify and to accelerate that process," he said. Discussions are ongoing with countries such as India, Singapore, Vietnam and Mexico.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin also welcomed the tariff pause, describing it as a sign of a "negotiating pathway" rather than escalation. He noted that market volatility likely influenced the Trump administration's decision.

"We're not out of the woods yet," Martin said, highlighting concerns over China-U.S. economic tensions and their broader impact. He said the 10% tariff now applying to EU goods is an improvement from the earlier proposed 20%.

Martin said Irish industries had urged the Government and EU not to overreact, a view echoed by U.S. officials.

Harris said the U.S. administration appeared "significantly irked" by China's retaliatory tariffs and saw Ireland as part of a broader strategic conversation.

The Tanaiste also warned of potential risks to the Irish pharmaceutical sector, which employs around 45,000 people. While pharma exports were spared in the latest U.S. tariff round, they could be targeted in future measures.

Martin said he had raised concerns with the EU about protecting the Irish drinks and dairy industries in countermeasure planning, and was satisfied Irish interests were taken into account.

Harris noted that the EU and U.S. are "very interconnected," adding that multinationals operating in Ireland return billions to the U.S. each year in royalties and licence payments.

"We want to create jobs and investment here, just as the U.S. wants to at home," he said. "But let's not throw the baby out with the bath water."