Irish exports to the US rise by €1.5bn in a year

Ireland was the fifth largest EU exporter of goods to the USA in the first half of the year, according to figures from Eurostat.

It accounted for 8% of total EU exports to the US - or just under €10.9bn.

The figures show Germany was by far the largest exporter to the USA during this period with €35bn, or 27%, of EU goods.

The UK, Italy and France also were in the top five.

Ireland saw the second largest trade surplus with the US, after Germany, in the first half of 2011.

Overall, Irish exports to the country in the same period were €1.5bn greater than the same period of 2010.

Meanwhile, imports dropped by over €100m.

Overall, EU trade with the USA is dominated by manufactured goods, with Washington remaining the EU's largest trading partner.