News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

Enterprise Ireland-backed food and drink firms exported €15 billion worth of goods last year

Food and drink firms invested €166m in R&D in 2024

Enterprise Ireland-backed food and drinks companies invested €166m in research and development last year, according to the semi-State body.

Business • 18 Jun

Martin Robinson, InterTradeIreland's Director of Strategy

1/3 of SMEs say global & trade uncertainties top concerns

A third of business owners across the island of Ireland have identified global politics and trade uncertainties among the top 3 concerns for businesses

Business • 12 Jun

Simon Harris has written to the EU Trade Commissioner

Harris urges tariff exemptions for key sectors

Tánaiste Simon Harris has urged the EU's trade commissioner to exempt sectors key to the Irish economy, such as aviation, medical, agrifood and the equine industry, from any retaliatory tariffs the EU could impose on a range of US products should the current trade negotiations fail.

Europe • 11 Jun

He Lifeng, China's vice premier, arrives for trade talks at Lancaster House

China and US resume trade talks in London

Top US and Chinese officials were meeting in London today to try to defuse a high-stakes trade dispute that has widened beyond tit-for-tat tariffs to restrictions over rare earths, threatening to cripple supply chains and slow global growth.

Business • 09 Jun

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada is prepared to strike back against the United States if talks with Washington to remove Trump's tariffs did not succeed

Canada prepares reprisals, EU progress talks - US tariffs

Canada prepared possible reprisals while the European Union reported progress in trade talks on Wednesday as new US metals tariffs triggered more disruption in the global economy and added urgency to negotiations with Washington

Business • 05 Jun

"The EU needs to reassure the US administration that progress is being made" - Kate English, Chief Economist with Deloitte Ireland

EU needs to strike a fine balance in getting a good deal

EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic and US trade representative Jamieson Greer are meeting in Paris today to accelerate the pace of trade talks between the EU and Washington.

Business • 04 Jun

Canada is the largest supplier of foreign steel and aluminum to the US

Canada says US doubling of tariffs on metal 'unjustified'

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has denounced US President Donald Trump's doubling of tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50% in a heightening of trade tensions between the neighboring nations.

Business • 05 Jun

The United States and China recently agreed to temporarily lower tariffs they have imposed on each other

Trump signals fresh trade tensions with China

US President Donald Trump signalled renewed trade tensions with China, arguing that China had "violated" a deal to de-escalate tariffs, at a time when both sides appeared deadlocked in negotiations.

US • 30 May

The US court ruling leaves intact 25% duties on imported autos, steel and aluminium

EU 'fully invested' in trade talks after US court ruling

The EU is "fully invested" in reaching a deal with the United States to avoid sweeping tariffs, the bloc's trade chief said, after US judges ruled the controversial measures were unconstitutional.

World • 30 May

Michael McGrath said the EU will do everything it can to avoid a trade war (File image)

EU will do everything it can to avoid trade war - McGrath

European Commissioner Michael McGrath has said the European Union will do everything it can to avoid a trade war but it needs "a willing partner in the form of the United States" to agree new and stable terms of trade.

Business • 26 May

On Friday, Donald Trump threatened to impose 50% tariffs on goods coming from the EU

EU and US to fast track trade talks after phone call

The European Commission has said that President Ursula Von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump have agreed to fast track trade negotiations and to stay in close contact following last night's phone call.

World • 26 May

Ryanair has favoured Boeing planes for over 30 years - but this isn't the first time it's hinted at turning to a rival

Plane Power: Ryanair China threat is a bluff (for now)

Ryanair's warning that it could ditch Boeing in favour of a Chinese rival is just a bluff... for now, writes Adam Maguire.

Business • 26 May

Two thirds of those surveyed have already experienced cost increases due to tariff and trade uncertainty.

Global companies rethinking strategies amid tariffs

New research suggests global companies are rethinking their strategy and planned investments, as tariffs and shifting trade policies continue to impact their business.

Business • 23 May

Faster housing delivery could mitigate impact of tariffs

Faster housing delivery could mitigate the impact of tariffs, according to the latest report from Davy.

Business • 08 May

Also on the list is bourbon whiskey, wine, cider, cars, bicycles, boats, smartphones, cattle, soya, olives and very limited pharmaceuticals

EU puts aircraft and bourbon on proposed countermeasures

The European Union has confirmed it is proposing to introduce tariffs on a "broad range of industrial and agricultural products" imported from the US which would be worth €95bn.

Tariffs • 09 May

Apple CEO says company is likely to further shift US-bound production to India to reduce exposure to future risks

Apple says most US bound iPhones no longer made in China

Apple has reported first-quarter profit above expectations but warned that US tariffs could cost the company and were disrupting its supply chain.

US • 02 May

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Amazon's move was not a surprise given a 2021 report by Reuters that the tech company had partnered with a 'Chinese propaganda arm'

Amazon denies it planned to disclose tariff cost on site

Amazon has said its low-cost Haul unit had considered listing import charges for goods in light of new US tariffs but denied looking at such a plan for its main website, after the White House accused it of a hostile political act.

Business • 29 Apr

US President Donald Trump has imposed 10% tariffs on most US trading partners and a separate 145% levy on many products from China (File image)

China says on 'right side of history' in US trade war

A top Chinese economic official said Beijing was on the "right side of history" in its gruelling trade war with the United States.

World • 28 Apr

US President Donald Trump has signed 137 executive orders during his first 100 days in office

Economy remains key issue during Trump's first 100 days

Wednesday marks the first 100 days of the second Trump administration - that notional period in which presidencies are supposed to define themselves and set down the main themes for the remainder of the term.

US • 28 Apr

"The impact in Europe will also be significant for Germany," he said.

ECB's Nagel warns of impact of tariffs on Germany

Tariffs pose a "significant" risk to growth in the euro zone's largest economy Germany, ECB policymaker Joachim Nagel said in Washington today.

Business • 24 Apr

Scott Bessent said the tariffs would have to come down before trade talks can proceed

High tariffs on China are not sustainable, Bessent says

High tariffs between the United States and China are not sustainable, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said, as President Donald Trump's administration signaled openness to de-escalate a trade war between the world's two largest economies that has raised fears of recession.

Business • 23 Apr

Shipping containers are stacked on a dock at the Port of Oakland in California

China's US envoy urges end to trade war

China's ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, has urged Washington to seek common ground with Beijing and pursue peaceful coexistence while warning that China stood ready to retaliate in the escalating trade war.

World • 20 Apr

The largest exporter of Irish dairy products said the first quarter of 2025 has been relatively positive for the Ornua business

Exports of Kerrygold frontloaded ahead of US tariffs

Exports of Kerrygold butter to the US was frontloaded by Ornua at the beginning of the year in anticipation of the imposition of tariffs by the Trump administration.

Business • 16 Apr

Jerome Powell arrives to speak during an Economic Club of Chicago event

Trump tariffs could put US Fed in a bind, Powell warns

US President Donald Trump's tariffs will likely push up prices and constrain growth, and could put the Federal Reserve in the unenviable position of having to choose between tackling inflation and unemployment, the central bank's chair has said.

Business • 17 Apr

As it happened: Trump 'optimistic' about China deal

Follow developments as global markets continue to react to US tariff announcements.

World • 11 Apr