Columns - Irish Examiner

John Whelan

An expert in Irish and international trade, John Whelan is a former Chief Executive of the Irish Exporters Association, a role he held for more than a decade and previously served as an export industry adviser to the AIB Bank Group.

Russian Ruble Tumbles as President Putin Orders Forces to Breakaway Ukraine Areas

John Whelan: Sanctions against Russia are not working

The Russian economy has grown at the same rate as the US so far this year and a wide range of European companies have been dodging current embargoes

Sun, 09 Jun, 2024

John Whelan: Trade wars spell trouble for exporters like Ireland

There will be implications for the country as the Biden administration slaps heavy tariffs on a range of goods from China

Sun, 26 May, 2024

Country to country, business to business way forward for trade?

Ireland has forged direct arrangements with China, Malaysia, and Japan at a time when globalisation and free-trade agreements have promoted inequality in richer nations

Sun, 05 May, 2024

Ireland’s digital exports now third largest internationally

Surpassing €300bn, digital exports are proving to be an economic sweetspot

Sun, 21 Apr, 2024

Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Cup - Day Two - Lee Valley VeloPark

John Whelan: Irish exporters can expect further challenges over trade with China

Global ratings firm Fitch affirmed China’s high level debt rating, but signalled that the outlook was less than rosy amid concerns about Beijing’s economic and trade model

Sun, 14 Apr, 2024

John Whelan: The world is racing to embrace AI but the cost may be too high for Irish SME’s

The scale of investment required in the technology here is lacking

Sun, 31 Mar, 2024

Beautiful aerial view of downtown Vancouver skyline, British Columbia, Canada at sunset

Why Ireland's lucrative exports to Canada are in jeopardy

The French senate last week voted to reject the Ceta free trade agreement between the EU and Canada

Sun, 24 Mar, 2024

John Whelan: The Trump re-election threat to Ireland's rampant growth in services exports

Services exports increased by €28bn in 2023 and now exceed the long-term dominance of goods exports

Sun, 03 Mar, 2024

An Irish passport gives citizens of Ireland, a top view of passports on a wooden table

John Whelan: Restrictions on business visas are harming Irish firms

Ireland lost competitiveness in terms of supporting Irish businesses last year, the OECD has said in a report that targets much criticism at the Government's regulations over granting work visas.

Sun, 18 Feb, 2024

John Whelan: The upfront cost of electric vehicles moves hauliers towards using e-fuels

The investment required for new electric trucks and the availability of e-fuels remain barriers to cutting emissions from the transport sector

Sun, 11 Feb, 2024