A more sober response is needed from the EU, and lessons must be learned from the sanctions that were imposed in 2014, writes John Whelan

At the heart of today’s manufacturing challenges are rampant fuel pricing and materials shortages

The roots of the shipping crunch affecting all markets can be traced back to a chronic over-reliance on China as a manufacturing base

The rapid increase in natural gas prices dominated the headlines last week, but rising oil prices have the potential to be a much bigger worry

Long-distance shipping used to be more than 80% predictable, now there is only a one-third chance of your ship arriving on time

Exports from Ireland's computer software companies in the first half of 2021 reached record sales growth of 27% — to €78bn

All EU states registered large increases in exports outside Europe with the exception of Ireland and Cyprus

With upwards of 80% of all goods trade transported by sea, freight-cost surges are threatening to boost the price of everything imported into Ireland

Expect some doorstep surprises as customers will have to pay VAT and perhaps extra duties/customs charges to the delivery company for receipt of their cross-border purchases

It now appears that there are two key dates in October and January