Some businesses positively welcome 15% tariffs as it appears to be a reduction for some, including Keogh’s Crisps
A 15% tariff is a reduction for some sectors, the managing director of Keogh’s Crisps has said.
Tom Keogh explained that after President Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ of a 10% holding tariff, there was already a tariff of 6.7% on their goods- bringing it to 16.7%.
Speaking to RTÉ Radio 1, he said: “Before April 1, we had a tariffs on our goods of about 6.7% when the holding tariff was within of 10%, that was actually in addition to the 6.7%. So that’s brought us to a 16.7% tariff.
“The announcement of the 15%, what I’m hearing is that it’s a net figure. So, that in fact looks like almost a 2% reduction in the tariffs that we’re paying today.”
Despite some retailers increasing their prices due to the rising tariffs, Mr Keogh said that this has not affected sales in the US.
He continued: “As far as we can see, it has not affected the sale of our product whatsoever. I’m saying that in the background that food prices are very expensive in America, and our main competitive set actually does come from the European markets, so we are all in the same boat.
“It’s early days here. I think, as a country, we have a fantastic trading reputation with the States. We have amazing cultural ties.
“I think now, we get back to work, we get down, get our products selling over there and continue the success as we’ve had to date.”