On the 50th day of the Trump administration, we hosted an online briefing, in collaboration with Pinion, to explore how shifting U.S. trade policies could impact Irish food and agribusiness exporters. With U.S. trade policies evolving rapidly, Irish businesses exporting to the States face increasing uncertainty around tariffs, market access, and regulatory requirements.
This webinar provided essential insights into how the Trump administration’s focus on correcting trade imbalances could create both challenges and opportunities for Irish exporters. From potential tariffs on steel and aluminum to reciprocal tariffs on key agricultural products, our expert panel explored how these changes might affect Irish businesses and how to stay competitive in a shifting global market.
Irish exports to the U.S. – Over €2 billion of food and agri exports go into the U.S. each year, including whiskey, cream liqueurs, and dairy (particularly Kerrygold butter).
Potential tariffs – The Trump administration’s planned steel and aluminum tariffs could return as early as March 12th, with reciprocal tariffs on agricultural products possible by April 2nd.
Impact on dairy and agri-food – Irish exports like Kerrygold butter could face a 20-25% tariff, significantly affecting competitiveness in the U.S. market.
Broader trade tensions – The U.S.’s focus on correcting trade imbalances with the EU and other trading partners could result in increased pressure on Europe to accept more U.S. agricultural exports.
Market uncertainty - The pace of change in U.S. trade policy is creating significant uncertainty for exporters, but the longstanding U.S.-Ireland relationship remains a source of strength.
Brian provided an insider's view on how the new administration’s trade policies are expected to unfold and their potential impact on tariffs and market access for Irish exports.
David facilitated the discussion, guiding the conversation with key questions and helping to uncover the most important insights for Irish businesses exporting to the U.S.
Karol explored the economic implications of shifting U.S. policies and how they may affect Irish businesses in the short and long term — particularly for the dairy and agri-food sectors.
If you missed the live session, you can now watch the full recording at your convenience. In this insightful discussion, our expert panel explores how U.S. tariffs and reciprocal trade policies could affect Irish exporters, highlighting the potential challenges and opportunities in the evolving U.S. market. They provide strategic advice on how to protect your business from market volatility, adapt to changing U.S. regulatory and trade policies, and maintain competitiveness in the agri-food sector. The conversation also examines how the U.S.-Ireland trade relationship could shift under Trump 2.0 and what this means for Irish exporters moving forward.
