Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

171. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on his recent bilateral engagement with Secretary Lutnick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57175/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I met with Secretary Howard Lutnick on 25th September at the Department of Commerce in Washington D.C. as part of a broader bilateral visit to the U.S. This meeting provided me with a valuable opportunity to discuss the dynamic economic, trade and investment relationship that exists between Ireland and the U.S., 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 D.C. in April and reflects our ongoing dialogue with the U.S. 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 economic impact report, which measures Ireland’s trade and investment across the US and the fact that as the 5th largest source of FDI into the U.S., Irish businesses are employing over 200,000 people across the United States.

On tariffs, I raised the potential expansion of the list of goods exempt from the baseline 15% tariff rate, including for the spirits and medtech sectors. We discussed the issue of ongoing U.S. section 232 national security investigations into the pharmaceuticals and semiconductors sectors and I also raised the impact of the expansion of 232 measures on steel and aluminium and the detrimental effects on Irish manufacturers, particularly in the agritech sectors.

I raised the U.S.’ recent 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 opportunity to ensure that senior interlocutors in the Administration are fully aware and briefed on Irish priorities and concerns in respect of the wider transatlantic trade and business environment. It also allowed for a more detailed understanding of US thinking in policy areas of crucial importance for Ireland, and the interests of our businesses and citizens.