A promising new era of growth for the Ireland-US relationship

Paul Sweetman, CEO of American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, outlines why the US-Irish business bond is as strong as ever

AmCham CEO Paul Sweetman greeting An Taoiseach Micheál Martin at AmCham’s 2025 Thanksgiving Lunch.

Ireland’s long-standing relationship with American multinationals is set to grow and thrive in 2026. Despite global turbulence and concerns around tariffs, Paul Sweetman, CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, said there remains a “prevailing optimism that a new era of growth for Ireland is within reach.”  

US companies now employ 245,000 people in Ireland, up from 210,000 last year — a significant 16% increase in a single year. “This growth really reflects a long-term commitment rather than short-term decisions about the quality of the competitive advantages that we have here in Ireland – with number one being talent and skills.”