The Communist Party of Ireland has pointed out on numerous occasions over the decades
since the state joined the EEC/EU, that membership of this Imperialist bloc would result in an
ongoing erosion of neutrality and would entail sacrificing the limited political and economic
independence accepted by the Irish capitalist class in 1922. We also warned that reliance on
transnational corporations would never develop a sustainable industrial base.
This latest deal between the EU-USA in relation to tariffs further exposes the subservient
nature of the Irish capitalist class as it puts the needs and interests of the EU ahead of the
social, economic and political needs of the people of Ireland. We have consistently
challenged the lies and misinformation peddled by this and previous Irish governments who
claimed that Ireland has an equal voice at the EU table.
This latest deal clearly exposes that this is not the case. The interests of the people of Ireland
north and south of the British imposed border are not taken seriously. A cursory investigation
of this recent deal clearly shows that the interests of US imperialism trumps the interests of
the EU. The EU is not our “saviour” but rather is part of the problem.
The Irish state will have to contribute to the growing EU military budget to buy weapons
from the US. We will have to contribute to the $750 billion earmarked to buy expensive
energy from the US. On top of that, Irish exports to the US face the imposition of 15% tariffs.
At the same time there is growing uncertainty regarding the transnational corporation
pharmaceutical sector of about 90 companies, which employs in the region of 50,000 plus
20,000-30,000 down stream jobs.
It is time for a new direction outside of the structures and restrictions of the EU if we are to
begin building a sustainable economy. We should look towards forging better trading and
political relationships with the BRICS countries. It is time to assert a more independent
foreign and security policy, one that is based on anti-colonialism and equality between all
states and peoples. Such a foreign policy is better suited to Ireland’s history of resistance to
colonial oppression than the existing policy of subservience to the Nato/EU imperialist bloc.
The balance of economic and political power is shifting away from the old imperial centres
like the EU/USA. However, as the NATO/EU proxy war in Ukraine and the Nato/EU
supported Zionist genocide in Gaza demonstrates, they are still capable of unleashing
unimaginable warfare on the peoples of the world. Breaking free from the triple lock of
imperialism which dominates Ireland, North and South, is not only in our national interest, it
is also in the best interests of all those campaigning against the war plans of the Nato/EU
bloc.
