Archive: https://archive.is/2025.04.04-201631/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-caught-between-the-eu-and-uk-northern-ireland-faces-an-extra-layer-of/
Because of its history and border with the EU-member Irish Republic, Northern Ireland has been in an unusual position ever since the U.K. left the European Union in 2020. Brussels and London spent years negotiating a post-Brexit agreement to keep the Irish border open and preserve a 1998 peace accord that ended decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland.
A deal, called the Windsor Framework, was finally struck in 2023. Under the agreement, Northern Ireland adheres to most EU regulations for trade with the Irish Republic, but it follows U.K. rules for anything moving back and forth from Britain.
Mr. Trump has complicated matters by imposing different tariffs on products from the EU (20 per cent) and goods from the U.K. (10 per cent).
The EU has vowed to retaliate, but the British government has yet to say whether it will impose counter-tariffs – all of which presents massive headaches for businesses in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, said Mr. Trump’s announcement “doesn’t serve anybody’s interests and I think it creates a period of uncertainty and instability in terms of the economy here.”
According to the Windsor Framework, all goods entering Northern Ireland from abroad must be charged the EU tariff.