Exports of goods from the Republic of Ireland to the United States skyrocketed by more than 200% in February, as companies rushed to ship products before the implementation of new US trade tariffs.
In February 2024, Irish exports to the US were valued at €4.2bn (£3.6bn). That figure surged to nearly €13bn (£11bn) just a year later, marking a dramatic increase.
The spike appears to be a strategic move by exporters, anticipating newly announced tariffs from US President Donald Trump earlier this month — with the potential for even more to follow.
Tariffs are essentially taxes levied on imported goods, often used to protect domestic industries or apply pressure in trade negotiations.
In 2024, Ireland exported €73bn (£61bn) worth of goods to the US, accounting for nearly a third of the country’s total exports.
Related coverage:
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• UK will take ‘calm and considered’ approach to US tariffs on NI
• What are tariffs and why is Trump using them?
Ireland’s largest export sector is pharmaceuticals — a field where the country serves as a key manufacturing base for major US firms such as Pfizer and Eli Lilly.
In 2024, total exports of medical and pharmaceutical products rose by €22.4bn (£18.8bn), a 29% increase, bringing the total to just under €100bn (£83.7bn). These products made up 45% of all Irish goods exports.
President Trump has long voiced frustration over the extent of US pharmaceutical manufacturing in Ireland. Although no specific tariffs have been placed on pharmaceutical imports yet, Trump has indicated that he still intends to target the sector.
Getty Images: US President Donald Trump presents a board labeled “reciprocal tariffs” with countries listed in blue and white.
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