Ireland’s EU presidency: Competitiveness and the transatlantic economy

Ireland’s 2026 EU presidency comes at a defining moment for Europe’s relations with the US, writes Mark Cockerill, AmCham 2025 president

AmCham 2025 president, Liz Cunningham,  presenting the 2025 Global Leadership Award to Martin Cotter, senior vice-president of Vertical Business Units (VBU) and president of Analog Devices (ADI) EMEA, alongside Paschal Donohoe,  managing director and chief knowledge officer,  World Bank Group and former Minister for Finance. 

Ireland’s 2026 Presidency of the Council of the European Union arrives at a defining moment for Europe’s competitiveness and its economic relationship with the United States. Global competition is intensifying, supply chains are being re-examined, and both Europe and the US are focused on improving productivity, technological leadership, and economic resilience. 

Then AmCham vice-president Mark Cockerill (now president), and Commissioner Michael McGrath presenting the 2025 Southern region Cairdeas award to Karen O’Mahony and Jon O’Mahony of The Rainbow Club, at the 2025 AmCham Southern Dinner.