View From The Hill: No-deal Brexit will be tough for Irish farmers to swallow

With the impact from tariffs, he believes, ‘farmers are the people who helped elect Mr Trump, but they are hurting’.

The long-term consequence of these tariffs and loss of market share for US agriculture was unknown.

“If trade wars were resolved by morning, how quickly would US producers regain market share, particularly that lost to South America and European member states? These countries have replaced US product in the Chinese market,” Mr Crammond added.

He said talks about wider EU/US trade had stalled due to the US demand for the inclusion of agriculture.

The EU feels it best to first negotiate a quick agreement solely on industrial products worth $30 billion (£24.8bn) to both sides.

Mr Crammond said: “Why include agriculture when it will take four to five years to negotiate an agreement? Let us build trust between EU and US agriculture following the example of the non-hormone beef deal. We just feel this is a better way to get things done.”

He spoke about the US/UK trade agreement and issues surrounding the Irish border.

Strong historical ties between Ireland and the US prompted recent comments from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and chairman of the influential Ways and Means Committee, Richard Neal.

Both stated clear objection to any threat to the Good Friday Agreement.

Crammond concluded: “Congressional disapproval would make it difficult for a US-UK trade agreement to get through the House. This message is resonating now in the UK, US and at home in Ireland.

"The Trump administration’s position is for the UK and European Commission to resolve issues on their own.”