Eóin Tennyson has been given leave to make a statement on the impact of US trade tariffs on Northern Ireland that fulfils the criteria set out in Standing Order 24. If other Members wish to be called, they should rise in their place and continue to do so. All other Members who are called to speak will have up to three minutes. I remind Members that interventions are not permitted. I will not take any points of order on this or any other matter until the item of business has finished.

Last week, the US president launched a destructive and damaging trade war. Donald Trump is following a path of populism and isolationism, which will damage the global economy for years to come, irrespective of how for long his tariffs are in place. The upheaval comes despite all the selfies in Congress and at the White House and the Prime Minister's almost sycophantic approach to the president in recent weeks and months. Despite what we have heard about the UK's Brexit advantage, the UK has been slapped with exactly the same tariffs as the Taliban. It is outrageous to be in a position in which a US president is attacking and slapping tariffs on his allies, including Ukraine, rather than focusing on his enemies.

In the Chamber, our collective focus must be on protecting jobs, livelihoods and businesses in Northern Ireland during these turbulent economic times. That means that, first, we need to engage proactively with the UK and Irish Governments to ensure that Northern Ireland's unique position is well understood at a European level. We must stand firm with our allies and use collective bargaining to place pressure on the US Administration. Yes, of course, negotiation must be the first step in our response to mitigate the impact of the tariffs and see their removal, but we must also be willing to, where necessary, find a backbone.

I say to the Prime Minister that if the price is removing the digital sales tax on tech companies; undercutting our agricultural producers or refusing to regulate toxicity on social media, it is a price that is too much to bear. As I said, we need to work with our allies to bring the tariffs to an end but also collaborate closely with our European partners to strengthen the UK economy and exert growth.

I say to the Economy Minister that we can do much at a Northern Ireland level to support our businesses and manufacturers. We need to see efforts towards a "shop local" scheme for Northern Ireland, progress on a manufacturing strategy and support and advice for our businesses at this turbulent time. This is a global issue, but it will have severe consequences for the Northern Ireland economy. Irrespective of our differing political views and beliefs, it is incumbent on all of us in the Chamber to work together to overcome the tariffs.

I thank the Member for bringing this Matter of the Day to the House. He made a lot of salient points about the regrettable actions that the president of the United States has taken at a time when our whole world is in turmoil. We are seeing the continuing genocide of the Palestinian people, people closer to home struggling to pay their bills as it is, a lot of worries for our local businesses and employers and our most vulnerable being attacked again by the new British Labour Government.

I note that the Member who tabled the Matter of the Day referred to actions that the Economy Minister can take. Caoimhe Archibald met businesses and trade unions this morning to try to plot a way forward and see what actions we can take here to mitigate any damage that the tariffs will do to local businesses. This is a time for cool heads and a planned, measured response — it is vital that we exercise caution — and the Minister has met her counterparts in London and Dublin in an attempt to agree a response. It is important that we see a lack of divergence between Britain and the EU. We want to recognise the special place that the North is, recognise our unique circumstances and support our local businesses. That is what we really need to see at the heart of this. We need to see stability and resilience embedded in our local businesses, and I hope that we can all work together to do that.

It was once remarked that, when the United States sneezes, the whole world gets a cold. That could be true today. There is a lot of righteous concern about the tariff announcement made by the president of the United States from those who have investments in the stock markets, but it is only fair that we set out the rationale for it. What is President Trump's rationale for tariffs? The US national debt is over $36 trillion, its trade deficit is around $122 billion and government debt is rising faster than GDP. The situation in the United States was unsustainable. Action had to be taken.

When I look at the situation, I say this clearly: nobody should want to see trade barriers — nobody. I do not call for tariffs, and I am pretty sure that every Member in the House has said that they do not agree with tariffs, but actions speak louder than words. That is why Mr Tennyson's words on the matter are hollow. He wants to champion and shout about a European Union that is the most protectionist racket in the world. We see that in its protectionism with regard to subsidies and barriers to entry, whether by stringent regulations or protection of the single market. It wants free trade but only on its terms.

I hope that this is a short-term action by the United States and that, globally, countries can break down trade barriers and come to a level playing field, because that is what is needed. We need to see trade barriers broken down. Mr Tennyson talked about the Members — I think that he was alluding to me — who went to the United States to speak to President Trump and articulate a Northern Ireland-first perspective. That perspective is always missing when he goes out to champion his cause. Look at the past: he and, indeed, Alliance, the SDLP and Sinn Féin run to Europe — in fact, rather than putting Northern Ireland first, they got a train down to Dublin — to shout about Northern Ireland being tied to the European Union's hip. He talks about the UK. There is a 10% tariff rate for the United Kingdom and 20% for the European Union. I hope that Mr Tennyson will be as quick to scurry down to Dublin and over to the European Union to call for it to protect —

Time is up.

— Northern Ireland, because those are actions of his that he is bound to repeat.

The Member's time is up.

Today, the turmoil in the global stock markets continues and is heading into territory that has not been seen since the COVID pandemic. A 10% tariff on our exports to the USA kicked in this weekend. For our neighbours, that figure is 20%. While the pharma sector is yet to be sanctioned, the impact of tariffs on that large part of the Republic's economy will not be far off. Some think that that differential tariff is somehow good news and that it will give a boost or advantage to our economy. If the Windsor framework debacle has taught us anything, it is that trade diversion, excessive bureaucracy and punitive measures add only costs and uncertainty.

We will all soon become very familiar again with article 16 of the protocol. If any United Kingdom company, including those that are based here, gets any perceived advantage, you can rest assured that the European Union will implement countermeasures. Have we forgotten how the EU strove to cut access to COVID vaccinations? Sadly, our own Government have failed to defend our economy and did not even engage the Stormont brake mechanism when they needed to. The deputy First Minister has highlighted the potential problems, but the Prime Minister must put the protection of our economy and Northern Ireland workers first. If the European Union seeks to implement countermeasures, we should use the joint mechanisms to put a hold on all Windsor framework provisions.

I have spoken many, many times of this being the worst of both worlds with the Irish Sea border. We will now see whether the EU implements a hard border on this island as well, but, no matter what, the next weeks and months will be particularly challenging but not enough, yet again, for our very own Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee to generate some curiosity. Some things apparently never change.

For Northern Ireland, we need our Prime Minister and our Government to work together strongly against trade dumping and the overzealous application of the article 16 provisions of the European Union protocol, because rest assured, Members, those are coming and we will not be able to get the best of both worlds — indeed, the best of any worlds. That is where we are.

I thank the Member for tabling the Matter of the Day. We are certainly living in very difficult and dangerous times. Watching the news outlets this morning after 8.00 am when the markets opened and seeing them slump was very scary indeed.

President Trump has introduced a sweeping new tariff regime, with a blanket 10% for all imports to the US. EU goods face a 20% levy, and UK goods are subject to the 10% baseline. Those tariffs are not just numbers on a spreadsheet. They represent a real and immediate threat to local jobs, regional investment and the future prosperity of communities right across Northern Ireland. Many of our key exporting sectors, including manufacturing, agri-food and advanced engineering, rely heavily on access to the US market. Those businesses are already navigating really complex post-Brexit trading realities, and they are now being asked to absorb yet more costs in an already difficult global trading environment.

While there has been some suggestion that Northern Ireland may gain a competitive edge over our neighbours in the South, since the Republic of Ireland's goods will face a 20% tariff under EU designation, that is far from a guarantee. There are no winners in this risky game. Relative advantage is not the same as security. Tariffs hurt everyone, and no one should mistake that for an opportunity without acknowledging the serious risks. Northern Ireland is in a unique position. Our ability to access the UK and EU markets through the Windsor framework gives us a platform that no other region enjoys.

The question is this: how will we and what are we doing to take that advantage further? The Minister for the Economy must set out the steps that the Executive plan to take not only to protect our exporters but to ensure that working people are not forced to carry the cost of economic decisions that are made elsewhere. We must not allow local workers, families and small businesses to become collateral damage in a global trade war. Yes, we are a small region, but we should not be passengers. We must be active participants in shaping the response. That means working with Westminster and Dublin, engaging with Europe and, crucially, taking strategic cross-departmental action right here in Stormont to support our local economy. The tariffs are a flashing red warning light about the direction of global trade. We have already seen where isolation leads. We cannot afford to go down that road again.

A number of points deserve to be made in response to President Trump's announcement. Unsurprisingly, they have passed by the Member who tabled the Matter of the Day. The first is that the EU is not some champion of free and unfettered trade. President Trump is correct when he says that the US has been taken for a ride by the EU. The EU is an aggressive entity; a protectionist bloc that stifles free trade by imposing tariffs on anyone seeking to import into it. The US has now called time on that. That is entirely understandable from a US perspective. In normal circumstances, Northern Ireland would face the prospect of being able to benefit from that situation, as the tariff on UK goods is half that on EU goods. However, businesses can thank Mr Tennyson and the entirety of the nationalist and republican alliance in the House for making the situation far from clear. The protocol has left us in the EU customs code, so, when Brussels imposes counter-tariffs, anything coming from the USA into Northern Ireland will be subject to them. Great Britain will not face that problem.

Furthermore, I have little doubt that, if the EU seeks to use Northern Ireland as a back door into the US, Washington will clamp down on that. Therefore, while the announcement from President Trump highlights the benefits of being free from the shackles of Brussels for GB, it highlights once again the folly of the protocol, which leaves Northern Ireland in a foreign customs code. It also reminds us that, when the leader of the DUP, Gavin Robinson, wrote in the 'News Letter':

"the DUP set out to remove the internal trade border ... that is exactly what we’ve achieved", he was lying to the people of Northern Ireland.

I appreciate the opportunity to address the impact of US trade tariffs on Northern Ireland, particularly on our small and medium-sized enterprises. Northern Ireland's SMEs are a vital part of our economy, driving innovation, creating jobs and supporting local communities. Many of those businesses rely on exports, with the US market being a key destination for sectors such as agri-food, whisky and manufacturing. Tariffs increase costs, and for SMEs already operating on narrow margins, the burden is difficult to absorb. As a result, businesses are faced with either raising prices for consumers or losing competitiveness in the US market. Moreover, the EU's potential retaliatory tariffs in response to the US measures add further uncertainty. Northern Ireland businesses could face tariffs on exports to the EU as well, compounding the problem.

For SMEs in Northern Ireland, the stakes are high. Without the right support, they risk losing access to vital markets. The UK Government must engage directly with the US and the EU to mitigate the tariffs and explore exemptions or reductions, particularly in sectors where Northern Ireland plays a key role. The Northern Ireland Executive must also step up and ensure that local businesses receive the support that they need, including clear guidance, simplified regulatory compliance and financial assistance where needed. The UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive must act quickly and decisively to support our businesses. SMEs cannot be left to face the challenges alone. With the right backing, Northern Ireland's SMEs will be able to continue to thrive and maintain their position in global markets, but only if we address the issues head-on.

Northern Ireland's membership of the United Kingdom internal market provides a key competitive advantage, but that advantage is at risk if businesses cannot navigate the growing trade barriers and rising costs.

It is vital that we protect that advantage by supporting our local businesses and ensuring that they have the tools that they need to succeed.

The tariffs are hugely significant globally, and we need to quickly figure out what it means for us here in Northern Ireland. It is clear that the UK Government must take some urgent steps to protect Northern Ireland's interests and ensure that our place in the UK internal market is fully safeguarded. There is still a lot of detail that needs to be worked through, but what is clear is that President Trump's tariffs will have a far-reaching impact on international trade. Importantly for us, Northern Ireland is vulnerable to being caught in the crossfire of any EU retaliation, and my party leader, Gavin Robinson, made the same case to the Prime Minister last week. The Prime Minister has said that he will protect the national interest, and that must include Northern Ireland. Our DUP MPs will continue to raise that at Westminster.

This is another key example of why it was so important for us to be in Washington last month, making the case for Northern Ireland. I am proud that Emma Little-Pengelly took those opportunities at every chance that she had when she was over there. We will continue to fight daily to safeguard Northern Ireland's economic interests, and the best way to do that is by fully restoring our place in the UK internal market. Anything less leaves us at risk.

It is DUP/TUV bingo today. We get the usual lines trumpeted out just because it is a Trump tariff. They talk about Northern Ireland first, yet all we have heard about today is the priority of American companies and the tax that they will pay coming into the EU, not realising — I am not sure what has clicked — that we do not pay tariffs into the EU. Therefore, I do not know why we have had minutes and minutes about the risks to America. We are here to speak for Northern Ireland and for our companies and businesses, but it is interesting to hear the DUP speak in support of and give the opinion of America rather than give the opinion of Northern Ireland.

Says the EU's fanboy.

If you want to continue shouting on, go ahead. Do you want me to give way?

There is no giving way.

There is no giving way, so sit down.

Actions speak louder than words, which is what Jonny said a minute ago. Let us talk about red tape, which he talked about a minute ago. Let us talk to all our sporting clubs that have had levelling-up funding and let them hear about red tape. It was way easier when we were in the EU and had funding that was easy to access for all our groups. You can scaremonger and talk and you can be addicted to being on the wrong side of the argument all you like, but the tail is wagging the dog, with one Member at the back, and you are jumping to it.

Let us call it for what it is: taxes are tariffs and tariffs are taxes, and these are our businesses that we are here to stand up for. They are the ones that are paying the taxes; it ain't you. We have people who are coming to pension age and whose pensions are falling through the floor, and you are in here getting social media clips to look hard and look the big man on TV. It is ridiculous that you have constantly called for borders and barriers, and Alliance will continue to speak up so that we do not have trade barriers and we do not have tariffs on our companies

[Pause]

Take a breath.

The protocol ensures that we do have them.

Take a breath.

[Laughter.]

We should be part of the GB —.

This is a time when we should be working closely with our partners —.

[Inaudible]

Mr Honeyford.

Order. The Member needs to be heard.

We should be working closely with the UK Government, with the Southern Government and with the EU to make sure that Northern Ireland's voice is clearly heard. We have to maximise the voice of the Assembly to speak as one. This is a time when we should be investing in innovation and R&D. We should be increasing the number of products that we have to sell and we should be giving support to our businesses. We need a manufacturing strategy. We need stuff to come through that actually delivers for business. What we do not need are cheerleaders for a Trump Administration who are taxing the very people and causing —

Rigorous implementers —.

Bingo! I will end with the DUP/TUV bingo. Here we go: the usual slow, thick lines that come out every single time. Let us have calm heads and not be cheerleaders for Trump.

Thank you, Mr Honeyford. We now move to the next item of business. Members, you were getting a bit excited there. Just calm down a bit.