Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Burke for the question. I met Secretary Howard Lutnick, the US commerce secretary, on 25 September at the Department of Commerce in Washington DC as part of a broader bilateral visit to the US. This meeting provided me with a valuable opportunity to discuss the dynamic economic, trade and investment relationship that exists between our two countries, as well as the implementation of the joint statement on an EU-US framework agreement on reciprocal, fair and balanced trade, which was published on 21 August. This meeting followed on from my last visit to Washington DC in April and reflects our ongoing dialogue with the US Administration on trade and economic issues.

We discussed a variety of issues of critical interest to Irish businesses and people. I highlighted the mutually beneficial economic relationship between Ireland and the United States, which continues to create jobs and opportunities for both Irish and American citizens and businesses. I briefed Secretary Lutnick on our new economic impact report, which measures Ireland’s trade and investment across the US and the fact that as the fifth largest source of FDI into the US, Irish businesses are employing over 200,000 people across the United States, including in every single state in the US.

On tariffs, as the Deputy would expect, I raised the potential expansion of the list of goods exempt from the baseline 15% tariff rate, including the need to look for carve-outs for spirits and the medtech sector. We discussed the issue of ongoing US section 232 national security investigations into the pharmaceuticals and semiconductor sectors and I raised the impact of the expansion of the section 232 measures on steel and aluminium and the detrimental effects on Irish manufacturers, particularly in the agritech sectors. I raised the recent US proposal to raise the cost of H-1B visa applications, and noted the importance of pathways for mobility for high-skilled workers, innovators and job creators.

The meeting with Secretary Lutnick was an important opportunity to ensure that senior interlocutors in the Administration are fully aware and briefed on Irish priorities, views and concerns in respect of the wider transatlantic trade and business environment. It also allowed for a more detailed understanding from us of US thinking in policy areas of crucial importance for Ireland, and the interests of our businesses and citizens.

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