US firms invest more in Ireland than in China, Germany, and France combined

Fri, 13 Mar, 2026 - 00:05

Martin Claffey

A new report on US-Ireland business relations shows that American foreign direct investment stock in Ireland totalled $467bn (€404bn) in 2024 - more than it invests in China, Germany, and France combined.

The 2026 US-Ireland Business Report published by the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland (AmCham) on Friday also shows that Ireland is the fifth largest source of foreign direct investment into the US, with Irish companies having invested close to $390bn (€338bn) in the US economy.

Enterprise, trade, and employment minister Peter Burke and Consul General of Ireland New York, Gerald Angley, joined AmCham president Mark Cockerill and CEO Paul Sweetman in the Consulate General of Ireland New York to launch the report. US companies employ approximately 245,000 people in Ireland in over 1,000 US businesses, while Irish businesses employ more than 200,000 people in the US, the report shows.

The report includes economic analysis from Wall Street economist and Fellow of John Hopkins University, Joseph Quinlan. Mr Quinlan said US foreign direct investment stock in Ireland totalled $467bn (€404bn) in 2024, well above comparable numbers for Germany ($226bn), France ($108bn) and Asia’s twin giants, China ($123 billion) and India ($58 billion).

At last count, there were nearly 1,000 US foreign affiliates operating in Ireland, generating some $625bn in affiliate sales and $150bn in output. Mr Quinlan said the Irish-US economic partnership has endured "even with the aftershocks of this decade, and ebb and flow of transatlantic relations".

"The numbers speak for themselves: Irish-US bonds are quite strong and are expected to grow stronger in the years ahead," said Mr Quinlan. "Suffice it to say that we are certainly living in 'interesting times'. The only real certainty of today is uncertainty. But within this fluid environment, one constant remains: the bonds that bind Ireland and the United States together remain robust and resilient and are only expected to become even stronger and dynamic in the years ahead.”

Ireland is the fifth largest source of foreign direct investment into the US. "This is not simply a strong trading relationship, it is a deeply embedded, two-way economic partnership that supports high-value jobs, research, innovation and communities on both sides of the Atlantic," said AmCham chief executive Paul Sweetnam.

"The focus now is not simply on maintaining success, but on ensuring that Ireland and the United States remain at the forefront of innovation and competitiveness in the years ahead," said Mr Sweetnam.

Ireland will take on the EU presidency from July 1 and AmCham president Mark Cockerill said this represents a "unique opportunity" to help shape Europe’s economic direction.

"Europe’s long-term prosperity depends on its ability to compete and innovate in an increasingly demanding global economy. Ireland’s EU presidency in 2026 offers an opportunity to advance a European agenda focused on competitiveness, clarity for business, and consistent implementation across member states. A strong single market, open trade, and a regulatory framework that supports investment are central to that success," said Mr Cockerill.

Ireland already plays a distinctive role as a primary European base for many US multinationals and as a leading digital regulatory hub, and Mr Cockerill said this gives Ireland practical insight into how European policy translates into real-world operations. "During its presidency, Ireland can use this experience to encourage greater alignment in implementation, reduce unnecessary administrative burden, and strengthen the functioning of the single market."

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Ireland will champion regulatory simplification and competitiveness as part of holding its EU presidency.

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