Thomas Byrne

Thomas Byrne, Ireland's Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, dives into crucial EU strategies on Russia sanctions and China's trade policies. He emphasizes the need for unity among member states on sanctions and discusses the innovative idea of using frozen Russian assets to finance support for Ukraine. Byrne navigates Ireland's stance on neutrality regarding military aid while advocating for the acceleration of Ukraine's EU membership. He also addresses the importance of adhering to WTO rules in response to China's export curbs, promoting competitiveness without sacrificing climate goals.