Tensions escalated between Brussels and Washington this week after the Trump administration threatened to slap $4bn (€3.5bn) worth of tariffs on EU dairy, pork and whiskey. As a major exporter of dairy and whiskey to the US, Ireland is right in the firing line should these tariffs be implemented.

A document issued this week by the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) listed almost 100 additional European food and drink products that would be hit with tariffs unless the EU bowed to US trade demands in a dispute over airline subsidies.

The list of goods set to be hit with tariffs includes a whole range of EU dairy exports including butter spreads and almost 30 varieties of European cheese. The US is also threatening tariffs on Irish and Scotch whiskey, while a significant number of pork cuts and products could also be hit with tariffs.

In April, the US said it was planning to slap $21bn (€19bn) worth of tariffs on 317 different products exported from the EU to the US. This list of 317 includes 44 dairy products, including European butter, yoghurt and cheese with an import value of $1bn (€900m) in 2018.

In 2018, Ireland exported more than €340m worth of whiskey to the US, while butter exports to the US hit €161m last year. Kerrygold is hugely popular among US consumers and has grown to become the second-largest butter brand in the US market. Ireland shipped almost 20,000t of butter to the US last year.