The US Chamber of Commerce yesterday welcomed Taoiseach Micheál Martin to the premier’s annual engagement with the American business community in Washington DC.
President and CEO of the Chamber Suzanne Clark welcomed Martin as they discussed deepening US-Ireland trade and investment ties.
Characterising the US-Irish relationship based in “a shared value system and genuine belief in the importance of the entrepreneurial spirit”, Martin said, “The Irish-US trade relationship is enormous and increasingly it is a two-way street.
“We have up to 900 US companies in Ireland. US companies contribute 200,000 jobs, and we’ve got about 770 Irish companies in the States creating over 150,000 jobs.”
‘Vital Relationships’
The event highlighted the strong business, investment and cultural ties between the US and Ireland, focusing on advancing mutual prosperity, innovation and growth.
US President Donald Trump and the EU this week threatened tariffs on both sides, which the director of the Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) Eoin Ó Catháin called “concerning.”
While neither the US nor the EU have yet implemented the tariffs, suppliers both sides of the Atlantic have emphasised the importance of continued US-Irish trade.
Clark said, “Political circumstances and relationships change, but one constant that can be relied on is the commitment of the business community on both sides of the Atlantic to work together and grow our economies.
“We deeply appreciate Ireland’s support of these vital relationships.”
The US-Ireland relationship is substantial, with $815 billion in two-way foreign direct investment and $230 billion in two-way trade.
Clark concluded, “As Ireland prepares to assume the EU Council Presidency in 2026, we look forward to strengthening our shared economic growth and deepening the friendship between our nations.”
Read More: Irish Whiskey Association Director Calls Threat Of US Tariffs ‘Concerning’
