The European Union's Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič has said he will be working "extensively" with the Irish Government and others who are concerned over the Mercosur trade deal and the potential impact it could have on Irish farmers.
If approved, it would create the world's biggest free-trade zone and increase EU exports to Mercosur countries, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, by up to 39% at a value of €49 billion to the European economy.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Šefčovič said it was important that issues around the deal are addressed openly and transparently.
He was speaking to the media in Avondale House in Co Wicklow, where he is meeting Tánaiste Simon Harris.
The commissioner said the deal would open new doors for Irish businesses and said it would help Irish farmers reach new consumers, adding that there would not be a compromise on standards.
However, a number of member states, including Ireland, are strongly opposed to its ratification.
Mr Šefčovič is in Ireland for a series of events, including a conference on trade and economic security, which is being hosted by the Institute for International and European Affairs.
He also said relations between the US and the EU have come "a long way" since President Donald Trump was re-elected in the United States.
He said both sides know and understand each other better, and said there are a lot of issues on the table and challenges to address.
Mr Šefčovič also said carving out the wine and spirits sector in the ongoing tariff negotiations was a priority, but did not have a clear timeline as to when that could happen.
He said it was an important sector for both parties.
Mr Šefčovič has described Ireland as an "agri-food exporting superpower", adding that the Mercosur deal will open new markets for Ireland and its exports.
Speaking to RTÉ's Six One, he said the 15% tariff deal with the US is the best that anyone got from the United States, adding that it was not easy to get to that level, following "protracted and demanding negotiations".
"In the end, if I compare our deal and how it is applying, what are the implications of businesses, the European Union did their best, comparing to a lot of partners," he said.
He said the EU has to be ready to defend its position and to continue explaining the issue to US partners.
"Our trade is indeed massive; we are trading €1.7tn every single year. For sure, there will be issues, challenges, problems but I believe through this relationship management we will be able to solve them as the two biggest trading partners and strategise," he said.
The commissioner labelled Ireland as an "agri-food exporting superpower", due to exporting over €20bn per year worth of agri-food products.
He said after the country benefited from its previous agreement with Canada, it would now in a very important way open the market to Latin America in terms of agri-food, pharmaceuticals and machinery as well as other exports "for which the country excels".
On the EU Commission's proposed suspension of the free trade deal with Israel, the commissioner said "it is now in the hands of the member states".
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