Are free trade deals really working for Irish exporters?

All EU states registered large increases in exports outside Europe with the exception of Ireland and Cyprus

The opening up the Irish and EU markets to competition from the foreign companies associated with the free trade agreements can create problems for some sectors. Picture: David Keane.

The rapid spread of the Delta variant has forced some countries to reverse plans to reopen their economies, denting the hopes of Irish exporters for continued expansion. 

In particular, falling exports to countries outside of Europe are beginning to spook Ireland's exporters, who managed last year to throw off the impact of the many burdens of the covid pandemic and grow sales both within the EU but also across global markets.