Irish exports to the US increased by almost 400% ahead of Trump's 'Liberation Day'

Irish exports grew by more than 94% to €37.3bn in March, its highest on record, driven by companies stockpiling goods in the US

Irish exports to the US increased fivefold in the month, rising from €5.1bn to €25.4bn, up almost 400% on an annual basis.

Irish exports reached a record level in March as companies stockpiled goods in the US ahead of President Donald Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff spree.

New figures released on Thursday by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that Irish exports grew by more than 94% to €37.3bn in March, its highest on record, up from €19.2bn in the same month last year. 

March saw Irish-based companies across pharma, food, medtech, machinery and beyond export goods to the US at a rapid rate as part of efforts to reduce their exposure to a series of punitive tariff measures on goods entering the country.

Irish exports to the US soared in the month, rising from €5.1bn to €25.4bn, up almost 400% on an annual basis. 

The US was Ireland's top export partner in March, with Ireland exporting more than 68% of its total export goods to the country. That was up from just under 27% in the same month last year. 

Of the total goods exported to the US, 94% were chemicals and related products, which include medical and pharmaceutical products.

Exports to the US of chemicals and related products grew by €20.1bn, a major 536% increase, to almost €24bn in March 2025 compared to the same month last year.

Meanwhile, total Irish exports of medical and pharmaceutical products increased by 243% to €23.6bn in March compared with the same period of 2024. This represented more than 63% of total good exports in March.

In the first three months of this year, exports of medical and pharmaceutical products more than doubled, increasing by 154% to almost €56bn compared to the same period in 2024. 

"In March 2025, exports of goods almost doubled compared with March 2024, increasing by €18.1bn to €37.3bn, leading to an unadjusted trade in goods surplus of €24.8bn," said CSO statistician Jane Burmanje.

Of the total Irish goods exported to the US, 94% were chemicals and related products

"Exports of medical and pharmaceutical products more than tripled to €23.6bn in March compared with March 2024 and represented almost two-thirds of total export goods for the month."

Trade negotiations 

In April, US President Donald Trump imposed a 10% baseline tariff on the EU, along with 25% levies on cars and metals. These baseline levies were then increased to 20% as part of Mr Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcement, but have since been postponed to allow for trade negotiations to take place between the US and EU. 

While trade deals with both China and the UK have been advanced, the EU is still struggling to make a breakthrough with the US despite several attempts.

If the two sides fail to reach a deal by early July, a higher tariff of 20% will kick in as Mr Trump seeks to even out what he sees as a transatlantic trade deficit, which he blames on the EU.

Trump has continued to maintain a combative stance toward the EU, saying this week that it is “in many ways nastier than China,” and the trading bloc has been preparing to impose another round of counter-tariffs against the US if talks fail.

Ireland in 'firing line'

Speaking on the latest export figures, Robert Purdue, head of dealing at at Ebury said: "The sheer scale of this growth, almost doubling compared to March 2024, demonstrates the impressive resilience and capability of Ireland’s exporting sector. 

"However, more worryingly, it suggests that Ireland is unlikely to escape the firing line of US President Trump’s tariff war."

“Ireland’s exporting sector plays a major role in the wider economy, and with more than two thirds of all exported goods in March this year going to the United States, any harsh tariff crackdown on Irish goods could throw the economy off kilter, particularly if business confidence takes a hit."